Pakistan Plots Its Future
Pakistan's coup leader outlined the policies of his military regime today, promising to decentralize power, announcing the formation of an accountability bureau and guaranteeing freedom of the press.
He wants to rejuvenate the country's ailing economy and alluded to alleged corruption in the ousted government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"Never before so few have plundered so many," Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf told reporters in his first news conference since he ousted the elected government on October 12.
He said he had formed a National Accountability Bureau, which "has already started scrutinizing records."
"The accountability process will be across the board and will start from the top ... Special speedy courts will decide the cases," he said. "Let me assure you he (Sharif) will get a fair trial."
Musharraf, who overthrew Sharif in a bloodless coup, has accused him of relentless corruption, destroying institutions and undermining the constitution.
A number of opposition parties have been pressing for quick action against Sharif and his close aides, who are under the army's detention. They complain the military regime is moving too slowly.
But Musharraf asked his critics to be patient. "Just bear with us and we will do the job," he said.
Most Pakistanis, frustrated by years of political instability, rampant corruption and a surge in political and religious violence, have welcomed the removal of Sharif's government.
Despite tremendous international pressure to restore democracy, the military regime faces little pressure from the public to hold elections.
Musharraf, who has suspended parliament and the constitution, said he wanted to decentralize some power in this poor South Asian nation of 140 million people.
"We want to make people the master of their own destiny by devolution of power to the district level," he said. "Those who were sitting in the parliament were not representing the people."
Four civilians were named last week to his newly formed National Security Council, responsible for all policy decisions. The NSC also includes Musharraf as its head and chiefs of the Pakistan Navy and Air Force. Two civilians have been named ministers in the cabinet, with more likely to join the government in coming days.
Musharraf said a team of financial experts will soon announce economic policies, but he did not elaborate.
"There has been a total collapse of the economy. We are begging all over the world, putting our honor and dignity at stake."
Musharraf also promised complete press freedom. "I have nothing to hide," he said. "There are no skeletons in the cupboard."
On foreign policy, Musharraf offered talks with hostile neighbor India to solve the protracted Kashmir dispute between the two newest nuclear powers, which have fought three wars since independence from Britain n 1947.
"Hostility will be met with hostility and peace with peace. If India agrees to talk, we will take one step ahead," Musharraf said, but did not elaborate.
New Delhi refuses to resume talks with Islamabad, saying that Pakistan should first stop aiding Muslim militants in Kashmir fighting for its merger with Islamic Pakistan.
Pakistan has been ruled by the military for about 25 years of its 52-year turbulent history. The 11-year-long experience with democracy, which ended with the ouster of Sharif, saw four elected governments sacked on the charges of corruption and misrule.