According to Keesing's Record of World Events, Major-General Zaheer ul-Islam Abbasi was one of two generals involved in an attempted military coup in late 1995 (Oct. 1995, 40776). Abbasi is referred to as the then head of infantry training in Rawalpindi (ibid.). Keesing's reports that the coup plotters had allegedly intended to "impose strict Islamic law (sharia)" (ibid.). In December 1995, Keesing's reported that a military court had begun in camera proceedings against the officers accused of taking part in the coup, including Abbasi (40867). The Nation had reported that once the court martial was underway, Abbasi would "stand accused of sedition" (26 Nov. 1995). The exact date of the attempted coup is not clear in reports.

On 20 July 2001, the Dawn reported that Abbasi had been sentenced to "seven years rigorous imprisonment" while a 30 October 2001 Asia Times Online article reported that Abbasi had been sentenced to six years "and recently released." An article on Musharraf in the Bharat Rakshak Monitor, an Indian publication which "aims to provide a non-specialist audience with a centrist perspective on issues of importance to India's security" (n.d.), reported that, upon taking power in October 1999, "one of [Musharraf's] first acts as CE [Chief Executive] was to set Major General Zaheer ul Islam Abbasi free" (ibid. May-June 2002). The date of Abbasi's release or information on the conditions of his release could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In 2001, Abbasi announced the formation of an organization referred to as Hizbullah Pakistan (Dawn 20 July 2001) or Hizb Allah (Pakistan Observer 5 Mar. 2001). According to the Pakistan Observer, the Hizb Allah is to be a "political and religious party" which would endeavour to establish an "Islamic system of justice, economics and public welfare" (ibid.). The Dawn reported Abbasi as stating the organization will have "nothing to do with politics but...will strive for the enforcement of Islamic laws in the country" (20 July 2001). A recent article refers to Abbasi as the leader of the Hizbullah Pakistan (Friday Times 18-24 Oct. 2002).

In September 2002, Abbasi was barred from participating in the October 2002 parliamentary elections because of his "alleged involvement" in the 1995 coup attempt (The Statesman 9 Sept. 2002; AFP 8 Sept. 2002).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence-France Presse (AFP). 8 September 2002. "Pakistani General Barred From Polls Over Bid to Oust Bhutto." (NEXIS)

Asia Times Online [Hong Kong]. 30 October 2001. Syed Saleem Shahzed. "Musharraf Has His Own Battles to Fight." http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/CJ30Df03.html [Accessed 22 Oct. 2002]

Bharat Rakshak Monitor. May-June 2002. Vol. 4(6). Jyoti Arya. "The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde and Dr. Jekyll: General Perez Musharraf." http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-6/arya.html#_edn36 [Accessed 24 Oct. 2002]

_____. n.d. http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ [Accessed 24 Oct. 2002]

Dawn [Karachi]. 20 July 2001. "Musharraf Urged to Amend Army Act." http://www.dawn.com/2001/07/20/nat17.htm [Accessed 22 Oct. 2002]

The Friday Times [Lahore]. 18-24 October 2002. Vol. XIV, No. 34. "Nuggets From the Urdu Press: No Political Parties in Islam." http://www.thefridaytimes.com/nuggests.htm [Accessed 22 Oct. 2002]

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. December 1995. Vol. 41, No. 12. "Pakistan: Charges Against Suspected Coup Plotters."

_____. October 1995. Vol. 41, No. 10. "Pakistan: Reported Coup Attempt-Rocket Attack on Sind Government Headquarters."

The Nation [Islamabad]. 26 November 1995. "Report Previews Upcoming Trial of 'Coup Plotters'." (FBIS-NES-95-228 26 Nov. 1995/WNC)

The Pakistan Observer [Islamabad]. 5 March 2001. "Former Pakistani General Launches Political Party." (FBIS-NES-2001-0305 5 Mar. 2001/WNC)

The Statesman. 9 September 2002. "Pakistani General Barred From Polls." (Global News Wire/NEXIS)

Country Reports, 1994, 1995

International Who's Who, 1997-2001

IRB Databases

Jane's Terrorism and Security Monitor

Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism

Mondes Rebelles, 2001

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Country Reports

Federation of American Scientists

Human Rights Watch

Pakistani Newspapers Online

South Asia Analysis Group

South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre

South Asia Terrorism Portal