12 July 1986: The present situation - with General Zia in command and Mr Junejo as his civilian cover - is untenable and will not continue indefinitelyComment
Pakistan is once again at the crossroads. There are two genuine solutions to the present crisis. The first is an instant restoration of democracy through free elections this autumn. The other is a regression to direct military rule. The present situation - with General Zia in command and Mr Junejo as his civilian cover - is untenable and will not continue indefinitely. Mr Junejo will be in Washington next week,arguing no doubt that the general is in control of the situation. This is far from the truth. Without a rapid return to an elected government the current mood of tolerance could be transformed into a spontaneous and uncontrollable anger on the part of the people. Time is running out. Related: Zia steps back to law of knife in Pakistan: from the archive, 11 July 1977 Related: Pakistan: a troubled history Related: Cursed by the Bhuttos | Peter Preston Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com