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Emboldened Sharief replaces ISI chief with loyalist

In another major reshuffle in the hierarchy of Pakistan's powerful military, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief appointed Gen Ziauddin as the new chief of the elite Inter-Services Intelligence, an army spokesman said today.

The move followed last week's surprise resignation of army chief Gen Jehangir Karamat, who was critical of Sharief's political and economic policies.

Two other senior generals also resigned after Gen Karamat. They resigned after being passed over for promotion when Sharief appointed Gen Pervaiz Mushraf as new army chief.

Sharief's critics say he is orchestrating the reshuffle of the army to gain control of the military, which has ruled Pakistan for 25 of its 51-year history. It has repeatedly thrown out civilian rulers to take control.

Gen Ziauddin replaces Lt Gen Nasim Rana, who has not been given a new assignment, the English-language daily newspaper The News reported today.

An army spokesman said the new chief of the state's premier spy agency comes from Sharief's hometown of Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's powerful Punjab province.

The new ISI chief ''is known for his professional competence and upright character,'' said an army spokesman who cannot be identified according to usual briefing rules.

UNI

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