ISLAMABAD: In sweeping political changes in Pakistan, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan sacked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, dissolved the national Assembly, appointed Balakh Sher Mazari as acting prime minister and ordered fresh poll to the Assembly on July 14.
Mazari is also a Punjabi belonging to Dera Ghazi district of Punjab. Two others Farooq Legari of Pakistan People’s Party and Hameed Chatha were also sworn in cabinet ministers.
In the wake of these changes, a lot of ill will was generated with the former prime minister accusing the president of turning his office as a hotbed of conspiracy against him. The president, in turn, gave indications that the former prime minister might be proceeded against on charges of corruption.
Meanwhile, Sharif was elected president of Pakistan Muslim League. He is planning a quick public mobilization tours; Sharif arrived by train to Lahore from Rawalpindi. Lahore is his home town; He is now planning to go to Karachi to address public meetings. The former prime minister asked the acting prime minister to ensure free and fair elections on July 14.
Mazari told foreign journalists that his government would do all that was possible to curb international terrorism. Measures had been taken to deny Pakistan’s soil for any terrorist activity.” My government would certainly take action against Memon brothers, suspects in Bombay blasts, incase information was provided about their whereabouts.”
In Delhi Indian prime minister discussed the political and mililary situation in the wake of changes in Pakistan with army commanders.
He claimed satisfactory improvement in India relations with China and said that new moves in respect of Pakistan would have to wait for the situation to stabilize in that country.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 23, 1993
