Chapter 17-Pakistan Citizens Crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir
Chapter 17 PAKISTAN Islamic Republic of Pakistan Area: 803,900 km2 Population: 152.53 million (June 30, 2005) Capital: Islamabad Language: Urdu, English, and four other major languages Religion: Islam Government type: Federal republic Chief of state: President General Pervez MUSHARRAF Currency: rupee (PKR) (US$1 = Rs 59.36; FY2005 average) Fiscal year: July–June 541 Citizens Crossed the Line of Control in Kashmir MOMOE MAKINO n August 2005, local body elections were held for the second time after I President General Pervez Musharraf seized power in 1999. Formally, all candidates were designated as independent, nonpartisan candidates, but in fact the election was a sweeping victory for the ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League (PML). The election proclaimed itself to be grassroots democracy in action; however, in Pakistan the local landed elite are strong powerbrokers, and so even if elections are held, votes are affected by the influence of the local landowners. These local landowners used government decentralization to increase their power, and President Musharraf’s power base was also thereby strengthened. The earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8 killed more than 73,000 people. International institutions, relief agencies from multiple countries, and domestic NGOs, etc., went to the scene of the dis- aster, where they continue their vigorous emergency support and recon- struction efforts. The massive damage in the area of Kashmir under Pakistani administration (Azad Kashmir) led to an improvement in the relations between Pakistan and India. While bus service across the Line of Control (LoC) had been already restored in April, five checkpoints on the LoC were opened up following the earthquake so that the LoC could be crossed even on foot.
[Show full text]