'Musharraf no different from other military rulers'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MARCH 28. The Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has been roundly criticised by political and religious parties and the media for his announcement two days ago that he has no intention to retire from service in October this year.

The overwhelming view is that by his announcement Gen. Musharraf has demonstrated that he is no different from the past military rulers of Pakistan.

The strongest reaction has come from the Jamaat-e- Islami that has been urging the Chief Executive for the last few months not to extend his own services as the Chief of Army Staff. The Jammat chief, Qazi Hussain Ahmad while regretting Gen. Musharraf's decision has said that the decision was contrary to the military regime's claims of respecting transparency and merit.

The acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Mr. Javed Hashmi, has said that Gen. Musharraf's decision to continue as Army Chief and the election of Mian Azar as president of the `like-minded' group of the PML(N) was an indication of things to come.

In its editorial the English daily, Dawn, said with the announcement by Gen. Musharraf on his extension, what was suspected has now been confirmed by the Chief Executive himself. ``In this one respect therefore the Zia model is being followed''.

Release of activists ordered

The Lahore High Court has ordered the release of eight political party activists detained by the police ahead of a planned rally to seek a time-table from the military Government for holding of elections and return to democracy. All the eight are members of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and they were taken into custody as they attempted to reach the heavily guarded venue of the protest rally in the heart of Lahore city.

The rally was planned by the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), a platform of 18-odd parties including the Pakistan Muslim League and the Pakistan People's Party, in support of the demand for holding of elections and an end to military rule.

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Section  : International
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