World: South Asia

Pakistan coup attempt

The army in Pakistan has surrounded the residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and seized control of state television and radio, following his dismissal of the army chief.

Troops are reported to have disarmed Mr Sharif's police guard and asked him not to leave.

They have also closed down the airports in Islamabad and Lahore and surrounded a number of key installations around the country.

The army action came soon after it was announced the head of the army, General Pervez Musharaf, had been removed from his post.

Mr Sharif appointed the head of the country's intelligence service, General Ziauddin, in his place.

BBC Islamabad correspondent Owen Bennett-Jones says state television went off air after soldiers were seen to scale the gates of the building.

Mr Sharif had been scheduled to visit the television studios.

Our Islamabad correspondent told BBC News Online that there is considerable confusion about who is behind the military action.

"It seems the army is not accepting this sacking and they may now be determined to take over .. which part of the army we don't know," he said.

"The electorate support the democratic government in Pakistan and opposition parties have stated that they would not back a military takeover."

Army chief dismissed

Former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, told the BBC that the army's action was a result of Mr Sharif's politicisation of the military.

She said some military officers loyal to Mr Sharif might offer pockets of resistance around the country.

No reason has been given for the decision to replace General Musharaf, who has just returned to Pakistan after a trip to Sri Lanka.

General Musharaf is reported to be at Karachi airport holding talks with senior military officers.

There are reports that his family have been unable him to see him.

Earlier this month, the government said that the general had been confirmed as both the head of the army and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until 2001.

Tensions with government

However, there have been tensions between the government and General Musharaf ever since the Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, ordered the withdrawal of Pakistani-backed forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir in July.

The withdrawal came after the United States intervened to end some two months of fighting in the disputed territory.

Three weeks ago, a senior US State Department official said that Washington would oppose any attempt by political and military officials to overthrow the Pakistani government through extra-constitutional means.

Army unease

The statement led to speculation that the army might be considering some move against the government.

Nawaz Sharif appointed General Musharaf last year when the former army chief, General Jehangir Karamat, stepped down after making remarks that were regarded as critical of Mr Sharif.

The BBC's Owen Bennett-Jones in Islamabad says the fact that the government of Nawaz Sharif has overseen the departure of two army chiefs within such a short space of time is likely to cause unease in the army.