The world community has reacted to the military coup in Pakistan by suspending aid, threatening diplomatic isolation and urging a speedy return to democratic government.
Concerns over the military coup in Pakistan eclipsed the swearing-in yesterday of India's new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Voicing grave concern at the situation, Vajpayee stressed that it would be up to Pakistan to "create the right environment" for the future development of bilateral relations.
IMF managing director Michel Camdessus said that Pakistan will receive no further financial aid from the agency until democracy is restored.
"We are in a situation which is not rare ... where very serious political events occur, and friendly countries decide to suspend their assistance," Camdessus said on French radio.
"Since the IMF cannot carry on alone, aid is suspended," Camdessus said.
In October 1997, the IMF approved a US$1.56 billion loan package for Pakistan, but disbursements were frozen in 1998 as part of international sanctions against Pakistan and India for conducting nuclear tests. The IMF resumed lending to Pakistan in January 1999, reflecting an easing of the sanctions.
Pakistani army chief General Pervaiz Musharraf seized power Tuesday after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif fired him. Sharif was reported to be under house arrest.
India's army went on alert, although no unusual troop movements were seen near the border.
China was among those that called for restraint from both sides. "Pakistan is a friendly neighbor of China. We are very concerned with the changing situation in Pakistan and are presently furthering our understanding of the situation," said a statement issued yesterday by its foreign ministry.
The US wants to see "the earliest possible restoration of democracy in Pakistan," State Department spokesman James Rubin said.
RSS