U.K: PAKISTANI ARMY OFFICER RESIGNS COMMISSION AND PLEDGES TO BRING DOWN ZIA REGIME

Record ID: 230275

  • Title: U.K: PAKISTANI ARMY OFFICER RESIGNS COMMISSION AND PLEDGES TO BRING DOWN ZIA REGIME
  • Date: 20th September 1979
  • Summary: 1. CU Brigadier Usman Khalid answering question on why he resigned 1.57 BRIGADIER KHALID: "The introduction of proportional representation in Pakistan through an ordinance which was announced recently at the end of last week." REPORTER (VISNEWS' JOHN DARBY, UNSEEN): "Do you see you resignation leading other officers to handing in theirs?" KHALID: "I would like to think so, that in due course of time in case it becomes absolutely clear as it is to me, to them also, that free and fair elections are not feasible in Pakistan, then I think some more officers would also like to resign." REPORTER: "Are you perhaps advocating a coup by the army to throw President Zia out of office?" KHALID: "I am against coups by anyone. If their coup was wrong, so would be a coup by anyone else. Restoration of democracy must be done through democratic means. If nor, if that is not possible at all, then through overt means other than, if elections were not possible - then through any other overt means, not covert ones." REPORTER: "So force may be necessary?" KHALID: "Force may be necessary, but overtly, not covertly." REPORTER: "Now today you've announced the formation of a Pakistani Liberation Movement. What do you hope this group will achieve?" KHALID: "We initially would like that elections are held fairly and freely in Pakistan, and we have outlined certain conditions, which, if introduced, will ensure that elections are fair and free. But if all these conditions are not met, then we would take to other means, including force, but use it overtly, and other means also." Initials CLM/ REPORTER: JOHN DARBY Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 5th October 1979 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, U.K.
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA64TUHL4RS909SJK88WLFPCH1Y
  • Story Text: In London, two senior Pakistani Army officers have announced their resignation from the armed forces in protest against the policies of General Zia-al-Huq's regime. They are Brigadier Usman Khalid and Colonel Mohammed Ilyas Shamim. At a news conference on Thursday (20 September), Brigadier Khalid explained why they had resigned.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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