**PAKISTAN’S independent corruption watchdog has banned 247 top officials, including the defence and interior ministers, from leaving the country, prompting rumours of a military coup. **
Will we see Zardari go?
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Rumors grow fast in internet about a possible Pakistan Coup. However, Reuters India just reported that there is no Coup in Pakistan as presidential official said there is no such a thing. However, BBC reports that the president Zardari faces resignation demands.
Pakistan travel bans spark fears of coup | The Australian
The latest developments have worried observers and the way the Pakistani official puts in in Reuters’ report is raising questions as well. The short reply of presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar to Reuters saying “there is no coup in Pakistan” is not telling much.
Same says Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington Hussain Haqqani. The ambassador told Aruji.com that “there is a consensus among Pakistan’s high military leadership that the Army should focus on guarding the national borders and elected government as in accordance with the Constitution.” He says this why a coup in Pakistan would not be possible.
Earlier today Pakistan’s defense minister was barred from leaving the country on his way to China. The list of people included 248 names that are barred from leaving the country as the constitutional court ruling shook the government of Zardari. This is why BBC says the president will hear more calls for resignation.
The opposition, according to BBC, is already calling for the president to resign. The court has declared an amnesty against corruption charges illegal. This court ruling will open door for prosecuting many of Zardari’s political allies.
In Pakistan there are several chargest against him and he, as a president, still enjoys immunity. However, the leader of opposition in Pakistan and former former Prime Minister of the country Nawaz Sharif told AFP that Zardari should resign on “moral grounds.”
Now there is a concern on how the Pakistani officials will act after the Court ruling. The U.S. thinks that the decision of the court is an internal matter. " U.S. expects Pakistani leaders will act in accordance with their constitution," reads the information from the State Department’s Daily Press Briefing from December 17.
In the meanwhile coup rumors in Pakistan are just rumors. HULIQ will follow the events and will bring the latest from Pakistan as the events develop.