Pak withdraws troops

Eight battalions of Pakistan’s army have been recalled from the international border for internal security duties during Wednesday’s referendum on military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s continuance in power, intelligence sources said.

The Karachi Rangers had been moved to Soura, Khipro, Sangarh and other parts of the interior to help in the April 30 vote.

Pakistan had massed troops on the border after Indian forces dug into forward positions in response to the December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament.

Pakistani leaders, including president Musharraf, thereafter appealed to India to pull back its soldiers, but Indian leaders have denied any such possibility.

The sources said there was a chance of some more Pakistani units being moved back in the next two days.

They said that keeping the army on the border had become difficult for Gen Musharraf in view of the staunch domestic opposition to his plans to stay in power for five more years.

Musharaff is heading for a landslide victory ( with whatever means ) so if he is so popular why do the Pakistanis fear internal trouble to pull back their forces. ? Does this mean that pakistan is hurting Financially with their troop deployment ? If so then its in India’s interest to continue the stand off and the ubsequent arms race. Or maybe its just good old poll rigging.