PAKISTAN ISLAMABAD ARMY CHIEF JEHANGIR KARAMAT RESIGNS

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(8 Oct 1998) Natural Sound • • Pakistan's army chief has resigned two days after calling for a military-dominated National Security Council which would play a direct role in government policy. • • A speech by General Jehangir Karamat was interpreted by both government and opposition as an attack on President Sharif. • • Pakistan is struggling with a fragile economy and political uncertainty. • • It is the first time an army chief has resigned from his post in the country- previous army chiefs have imposed martial law before resigning. • • General Jehangir Karamat applied for retirement saying he was distressed by the unnecessary debate over his call for a military-backed National Security Council. • • The army plays no role in Pakistan's western-style parliamentary democracy but is seen as a major influence after several periods of martial law. • • Karamat's speech to a navy college in Lahore called for a council to head Pakistan's political system. • • It also called for an end to the political squabbling between government and opposition. • • And he assailed the political leadership for pursuing insecurity-driven policies. • • Nawaz Sharif, seen here the day he became President, has faced world condemnation for conducting nuclear tests in reply to arch foe India's series of tests. • • The resulting western economic sanctions over the tests have lumped Pakistan with a foreign debt of 32 (b) billion dollars. • • Karamat is to be replaced by General Pervaiz Mushraf, second in line for the position of army chief of staff. • • Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork • Twitter: / ap_archive • Facebook: / aparchives • Instagram: / apnews • • • You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...

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