Zia says political prisoners are free

Press, 16 July 1977, Page 7

Zia says political prisoners are free

i NZPA-Reuter Rawalpindi I Pakistan’s military strong- , man General Zia-Ul-Haq said yesterday that he had. ordered the release of alii political prisoners and re- ■ peated his determination to' restore, the country to civil- i ian rule in October. i, A total of 18 leading politicians, nine each from the former ruling Pakistan People’s Party and the Opposition Pakistan National Alliance were put in protective custody after the coup. Sixteen of them, including i the former Prime Minister, i Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, are; still being held. General Zia did not say: when they would be freed. ; Giving his first news con-; ference since the coup on; July 5. the cavalry generali said that before the take-: over he had feared civil war. I He promised to rule with ■ ian iron fist for the next 'three months to ensure law ;ar.d order and to reduce | political tension. I “There is one language 'everyone understands,” he said. “It is sometimes necessary to make a few examples.”

| This was an apparent reference. to his introduction of the Islamic penalties of amputation of a hand for convicted thieves and death by hanging for banditry. General Zia ruled out the idea of a trial of Mr Bhutto or any other politicians saying the issue should be deicided by the next elected ; Government. i He also ordered the dissolution of all but one special court set up during Mr Bhutto’s rule. The only one left would be a court trying the Pathan leader, Abdul Wali Kan, on conspiracy charges, he said.