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Army seizes power { October 12 1999 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/472511.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/472511.stm Tuesday, October 12, 1999 Published at 19:27 GMT 20:27 UK World: South Asia Pakistan army seizes power The army in Pakistan has announced the dismissal of the government after seizing control of key installations across the country. Soldiers surrounded the residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, closed down the country's main airports and took over state radio and television. The action followed the dismissal of Pakistan's army chief, General Pervez Musharraf, who is to address the nation shortly. Troops are reported to have disarmed the police guard outside Mr Sharif's residence and the premier is believed to be inside the house. The governments of the United States and India have expressed concern at the developments in Pakistan, and the Indian army has been placed on high alert. And the governor of Pakistan's central bank has announced a bank holiday on Wednesday, apparently to arrest a massive outflow of foreign exchange from the country. Army moves in The army takeover began only minutes after General Musharraf was removed from his post. He was on a visit to Sri Lanka when he was removed from office and was later reported to be at Karachi airport holding talks with senior military officers. Mr Sharif appointed the head of the country's intelligence service, General Ziauddin, in his place. Earlier state television went off air after soldiers scaled the gates of the building and took control. Mr Sharif had been scheduled to visit the television studios. Our Islamabad correspondent told BBC News Online that there is considerable confusion about who is behind the military action. "It seems the army is not accepting this sacking and they may now be determined to take over .. which part of the army we don't know," he said. "The electorate support the democratic government in Pakistan and opposition parties have stated that they would not back a military takeover." Tensions with government Former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, told the BBC that the army's action was a result of Mr Sharif's politicisation of the military. She said some military officers loyal to Mr Sharif might offer pockets of resistance around the country. No reason has been given for the decision to replace General Musharraf, who has just returned to Pakistan after a trip to Sri Lanka. Earlier this month, the government said that the general had been confirmed as both the head of the army and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until 2001. However, there have been tensions between the government and General Musharraf ever since the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, ordered the withdrawal of Pakistani-backed forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir in July. The withdrawal came after the United States intervened to end some two months of fighting in the disputed territory. Three weeks ago, a senior US State Department official said that Washington would oppose any attempt by political and military officials to overthrow the Pakistani government through extra-constitutional means. The statement led to speculation that the army might be considering some move against the government. Nawaz Sharif appointed General Musharaf last year when the former army chief, General Jehangir Karamat, stepped down after making remarks that were regarded as critical of Mr Sharif. The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones in Islamabad says the fact that the government of Nawaz Sharif has overseen the departure of two army chiefs within such a short space of time is likely to cause unease in the army. The army has ruled Pakistan for 25 of its 52-year history.

Army cheif assumes power { October 14 1999 } Army seizes power { October 12 1999 } Commonwealth dropped pakistan after 1999 coup { October 22 2004 } Court rejects coup appeal { February 7 2001 } Denies coup plot { September 28 1998 } General pervez musharraf { September 24 2001 } Neighbors concern { October 13 1999 } Saudi requests exile { December 20 2000 } Sharif accusations { November 19 1999 } Sharif interview { November 22 1999 } Trumpted up charges Who is in charge { October 25 1999 } Files Listed: 12

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