To, Gen. Pervez Musharraf,
Chairman JCOSC, COAS, Pakistan.

Assalamo Alekum,

I wish to convey my support for the action taken by the Pakistan Armed Forces to remove the dirty government of Nawaz Sharif who was following the wrong path of Gen. Zia.

I do not know what is being discussed and what is the situation at large. But I would like to express my opinion as my contribution towards development and stability of my country, Pakistan.

Pakistan needs a fresh start. The rotten system under present constitution should be completely dismantled and new constitution must be written. President Rafiq Tarar needs to be removed. Because he is corrupt and a tout of Nawaz Sharif. Also he was instrumental in Supreme Court crises.

All politicians in our country who ruled us or ruling us are corrupt beyond remedy. They and their near supporters must be barred from taking any part in governance of the country.

Present constitution does not allow for removal of government by military action. Under this constitution the COAS was replaced by sitting prime minister and announcement was made. Therefore legally speaking our Army Chief Gen. Musharraf was not COAS at the time of overthrough of government.

But Gen. Musharraf has two way legitimacy. First, instantly after new chief was promulgated Armed Forces refused to accept this change. And second, people of Pakistan overwhelmingly welcomed the coup and supported it gladly. But this way of legitimacy is not given in present constitution.

At the same time the two fold legitimacy enjoyed by the coup also declares the present constitution void.

Now all this grinds to either of the two situations. If the constitution is valid then Gen. Musharraf is not COAS, Nawaz is prime minister and coup is illegal.

If support of people of Pakistan and of Armed Forces is supreme then Gen. Musharraf is our COAS and leader of the country and nation, constitution stands abrogated, removal of Nawaz Sharif is legal and Rafiq Tarar is no more President.

I believe the latter is correct. Now a new constitution is required.

To further strengthen legality of this fresh start a referendum can be held within a short period in which people may be asked to vote invalid the present constitution. And vote for an interim constitution which covers for 5 years.

Under interim constitution a National Security Council type body can be constituted.

The interim constitution should be Quaid-e-Azam's constitution. Based upon his famous announcement that religion has no business with running of government and vice versa. Religion is a personal matter. Religious freedom be granted and promotion of belief should be by non-violent means. Also peace in society is purely a law and order matter without slightest political intervention. Political activity allowed only in the form of managerial work of political parties and small seminar like programmes. Large congregation may be allowed but only at a designated yard outside cities and towns, reserved for this purpose and rented out to any group for short fixed periods.

Other measures may be included.

Having done this government needs to concentrate on economy. Foreign creditors need to be convinced that economic war against Pakistan under pretext of democracy is not in anybody's interest. Pakistan will respond to such act of war against itself with whatever means is available to it.

Pakistan is willing and ready to participate in international economy fully to benefit the whole world and itself. Sanctions of other economic weapons will cause just opposite to everybody involved.

I pray to Allah that out of his Mercy and Grace He help and guide new leaders of our country to the path of peace, prosperity and happiness of all Pakistanis and Pakistan becomes a beneficent member of the world community.

By: Zafar Ahmad Mirza
3-3-1-205 Park Town, Sengendai-Nishi,
Koshigaya-Shi, 343-0041 Japan
Telephone: 0489-78-6380

Subject: Strategic Roads Vital for Pakistan Defence
Date: Oct 15th, 1999
To: The Editor Defence Journal

Dear Sir,

Roads play a vital and strategic role in the defence of a country. During war, roads are not only used for troop movement and supplies they are also used for the mass exit or evacuation of people from expanding war zones. In Pakistan, there is hardly any strategic planning for roads and vital land routes. In case of a major war with India, in which if Indian Navy manages to carry out a total blockade of our only international seaport, i.e; Karachi and somehow manages to either blockade or damage the little port of Gwadar, we will then be in serious trouble. There must be an alternate and viable plan to counter the Indian designs. Our industrial exports and imports, including vital supplies of oil and raw material should not be effected by this scenario, and we must have an alternate, viable and secure means of delivery and passage.

Firstly we must have an arrangement to be able to utilize the Iranian ports of Gvatar, and Chah Bahar, or their major port of Bandar-e-Abbas, connected by a good road network. Linking Karachi with Gwadar and the Iranian ports of Gvatar and Chah Bahar, and Karachi via Turbet to Bandar-e-Abbas. Also Bandar-e-Abbas can serve our upcountry for vital supplies through the Quetta Zahidan road. (1) The current condition of Quetta Zahidan road, the only, major link with Iran is pathetic. This road is narrow and unfit to carry heavy commercial traffic, it needs to be immediately widened and recarpeted, (2) also a link from Nukkundi to Panjgur, Panjgur to Awaran and Karachi must be provided to cut down on distance and time between Zahidan and Karachi, thus reducing the traffic flow on Zahidan Quetta road which can then easily cater to up country traffic.

The road connecting (3) Quetta to Punjab via Loralai-Kingri-Rakni and on to Dara Gazi Khan, is an other strategically vital link road, perhaps it is the only road connection of Quetta with southern Punjab. In case of a major ground offensive by Indian Armour in Cholistan (our soft belly) and onwards to attack Bahawalpur, and Multan this road will serve vital to rush in forces from Quetta. The road between Loralai-Kingri-Rakni hardly exists.(4) The road, going through the Sulaiman Range mountains at Fort Munro is in total shambles and cannot cater adequately for military or heavy commercial traffic. I recently travelled from Quetta-Loralai-Kingri-D.G.Khan to Multan and was amazed at the condition of this road. Another strategic road, (5) which will probably be the only road operating and linking our Northern Areas with Peshawar and Quetta, if God forbid the enemy manages to blow up our main river bridges. Therefore the route connecting Quetta with Peshawar via Qila Saifulla--Zhob-Bannu is of utmost importance. I believe there is some work going on this project, but on a very slow speed.

In our Northern Areas, roads connecting,(1) Dir and Kalam; (2) Klam and Dasu on the Karakoram;(3) Kalam with Mastuj; and finally and of most importance (4) Balakot to Naran-Geltidas and connecting with Chilas over the Babusur Pass is again of extreme importance. All these road links will play a crucial role in order to rush military forces and supplies and the Mujahideen and tribal forces from Dir and Malakand region, to move up to Shandoor Pass, Gopis valley, Gilgit and its surrounding areas and Dasu and Chilas to boost up defence in these strategic points in case the enemy decides to paradrop enemy forces to cut us from the Northern Areas.

In building all the above mentioned roads and route links we will also improve the economic conditions of these areas and greatly enhance our defence capability by reducing the reaction time and increasing the accessability of our forces. All these projects and other vital links must be executed urgently and on utmost priority basis, as time is short and of the essence hear.

Best Regards
Wassalam
Farhat.A.Malik
2.A. Gulberg
Lahore, Pk.