- Musharraf publicly announced 8/21/02 that he
had decreed 29 new amendments to Pakistan's constitution granting himself
many new powers including "the power to dismiss parliament, establishing a
National Security Council to oversee the government and extending his stay in office
by five years." He is taking charge of a lot of power
previously held by the prime minister, including "appointing the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and
the heads of all three military branches."
- Musharraf
will remain in power another five years after a referendum
passed in the April 2002 elections. Many people said they voted for him two or more
times.
- Agreed to US demands, including US use of its airspace, but
will not do anything outside its borders. Also, not allowing US
ground troops. Requested to Taliban to hand over bin Laden;
Taliban said no. No Pakistan forces or equipment can be used in attacks
on Afghanistan. In return for Pakistan's help, US lifted
economic sanctions.
- Has an ongoing battle with India over Kashmir.
- There are estimates that 2/3 of population is against its
government's support of US; many large-scale demonstrations.
Most of anti-US demonstrations were held by the JUI party - it's
leader was placed under house arrest 10/6/01.
- Several cleric leaders denounce US/British strikes as
"brutal and unwarranted" on 10/8/01.
- Gen. Pervez Musharraf seized power in October
1999 in a "bloodless coup". The US and other
western allies "shunned" the country after that.
- Japan cut off aid to Pakistan in 1998 when it
performed successful nuclear weapons testing.
- Travel warnings issued for Pakistan
travel
- Pakistan is pro-Taliban
- Kashmir
Information Network
- "Born out of Britain's partition of the subcontinent in 1947, the state of Jammu and Kashmir
has been claimed by both Pakistan and India."
See more in CNN's
In-Depth report on the Kashmir and Jammu conflict.
- ISI - Pakistan's Inter-Services
Intelligence agency; rumors of Taliban
supporters within this group
- Islamic Republic
of Pakistan
- Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C. - cannot access
- Pakistan Mission to the
United Nations in New York
- US Embassy in
Islamabad
- Majority of people are Sunni Muslim, while a
minority are Shiite Muslim.
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Live
Cam:
Karachi
Photo
Essay of Pakistan by Time
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