Pakistan strongman in firm, quiet control

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 8

Pakistan strongman in firm, quiet control

NZPA-Reuter Islamabald Pakistan’s new army strongman, General Zia-ul-Haque, appeared firmly in control of the country yesterday without displaying great military force. After the coup that toppled the Prime Minister Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, on Tuesday eyewitnesses across the country reported all calm, soldiers guarding key Government buildings smiling at passing civilians.

General Zia imposed martial law and arrested Mr Bhutto and most leading Government and Opposition politicians. No announcement was made as to where they are being held.

But in a broadcast to the nation hours after the earlymorning coup, General Zia, aged 52, promised to hold a General Election in October. The national and provincial assemblies have been dissolved.

The Opposition alleged I that Mr Bhutto’s People’s] Party rigged the election victory on March 7, and it demanded new polls. The army seized power after a deadlock in the political peace talks.

General Zia said in his broadcast that the army had refrained from intervening earlier in the hope that a political solution could be found.

He dismissed suggestions that the coup had been staged with the connivance of Mr Bhutto.

“I genuinely feel that the survival of this country lies in democracy and democracy alone,” General Zia said. “I want to make it absolutely clear that neither do I have any political ambitions, nor does the army want to be distracted from its profession of soldiering.”

He gave a “solemn assurance” that he would transfer power to elected representa-

tives soon after the election, but added that until then any citizen disturbing law and order would be severely dealt with.

General Zia said political activity was banned but would be allowed to resume before the election. The constitution was not abrogated, but only suspended in parts, he said.

President Elahi Chaudhry would continue as Head of State and would be assisted by a four-man military council to govern the country for the next three months. General Zia announced that he would perform the duties of chief martial-law administrator.

The bloodless coup came after four months of strife between Mr Bhutto’s Government and the Opposition parties in which at least 350 ■people were killed.