PAKISTAN: ARMY COUP - MUSHARRAF SUPREME LEADER

(15 Oct 1999) Urdu/Eng/Nat
General Pervaiz Musharraf has declared himself Pakistan's new supreme leader, suspending the constitution, dissolving the legislature and declaring a state of emergency days after toppling the elected civilian government.
The announcement, coming three days after Musharraf ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup, seemed to dash any hope of an early return to democracy.
The decision to impose full army control reportedly followed two days of behind-the-scenes manoeuvering by the army chief.
According to intelligence sources in the capital of Islamabad, Musharraf is attempting to get Parliament to vote Sharif out .
Troops sealed off the parliament building throwing out staffers and a few lawmakers on Thursday.
The army gave no explanation for the action but Pakistan's military chief is reportedly seeking a way to restore constitutional democracy.
Analysts say Musharraf has a majority support of Pakistan's people.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He's an all powerful man right now. You can call it Martial Law, you can call it dictatorial law but whatever it is, I think as far as the people of Pakistan are concerned to the extent that they have a sense of the agenda that General Musharraf is talking about, I think they do subscribe to the agenda, the fact that a gallop poll says that 75 percent of the people are supporting this move."
SUPER CAPTION: Naseem Zahara, Political Analyst
A proclamation broadcast on national television early on Thursday, said the country's figurehead president would remain in office, but be subservient to the army chief.
Provincial and federal legislators were dismissed, along with senior government ministers and the
chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate.
While courts will continue to function, they will not be able to challenge the army chief's position as chief executive or the state of emergency.
The imposition of unfettered army rule came despite international appeals for a restoration of constitutional
democracy.
Despite international concerns, Tuesday's coup has had little impact on the average citizen in the impoverished country.
The public has generally welcomed the ousting of an unpopular prime minister, and few have called for quick elections.
SOUNDBITE: (Urdu)
"It was important for the military to take over because there is corruption at all levels in the government. The policies were bad for the country, the economy's at its worse and what General Musharraf did was good."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
SOUNDBITE: (Urdu) (Non-Verbatim)
"We've had elections before, it's the same thing over and over again. We have to have the military take over."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
Sharif, who was elected two years ago by a wide majority, quickly antagonised the public in repeated confrontations with other institutions of government.
He also pressed corruption charges against his predecessor and main rival, Benazir Bhutto, who fled the country.
Some of her supporters burnt pictures of Sharif in the streets of Karachi on Thursday
Pakistanis, who have been ruled by the army for 25 of their nation's 52-year history, have come to expect that the military will keep civilian rulers in line or throw them out.

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