Musharraf meets top army brass on interim rule in Pakistan

Musharraf, who ousted premier Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup on Tuesday, said top priority’ would be accorded to economic revival, ensuring national integration and good governance. He promised to address the nation to take the people into confidence once the details were finalised.

The meeting reviewed in detail issues of national significance, including the prevailing situation in the country, operational preparedness and other important matters following imposition of the state of emergency in the country.

Musharraf appreciated the unity and institutional solidarity’ displayed by the armed forces during the crisis triggered by his sacking’ by Sharif and apprised the meeting of the circumstances that led to imposition of emergency in the country.

At Karachi, bankers said, deposed Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and former PM Benazir Bhutto were on a list of names the central bank today sent to banks saying that their accounts should be frozen.

They said the list was given to the central bank by the country’s new military regime and appeared to be part of a drive to stamp out corruption among the elite.

The central bank has sent a list of some 400 to 500 politicians…Almost all politicians are in the list, including Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto,’ a banker told Reuters.

The emergence of the list follows an order from the State Bank of Pakistan to the country’s banks and financial institutions to freeze deposits of all notable’ politicians and their spouses following the declaration of a state of emergency by the military.

With a view to protecting the interest of depositors and financial institutions all types of bank accounts – foreign and local currency – of all notable politicians, including senators, federal and provincial ministers, political advisers, special assistants and their spouses have been temporarily stopped for operation till further instructions,’ a State Bank circular said.

In an obvious criticism of Sharif’s repeated claims of enjoying a heavy mandate, an army officer said, Democracy that gives absolute majority to a party that didn’t win even 10 per cent of total registered votes doesn’t suit Pakistan.’

Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League had won a two-third majority in the February ’97 polls which had attracted only 22 per cent polling.

In the near future, the people who have made unnecessary threatening statements will realise that their reaction was premature,’ an official said pointing out that reports by CNN and BBC that there was not a murmur of protest in Pakistan should be enough to silence critics.