New Delhi, Oct 05: With an army foundation running several large state-owned companies in Pakistan, a local daily has come out with a list of over 1,000 armed forces officers occupying top posts in the government and foreign missions since Pervez Musharraf took over in 1999, reflecting their stranglehold over the economy and administration. "As many as 104 serving and retired Lieutenant Generals, Major Generals or those with equivalent ranks from other services are among 1,027 military officers inducted in civilian posts in different ministries, divisions and Pakistani missions abroad after the October 12, 1999 military takeover", Pakistani daily 'The Dawn' reported.

The number of army brigadiers or their equivalent ranks from the navy and air force was "even higher at 160", it said, quoting an annexure placed in the senate library. As many as 14 ambassadors and one high commissioner have been appointed from the armed forces ranks during the period.

The report comes in the wake of another one published in 'The Saturday Tribune', which said the Army's Fauji Foundation was "all set to take over" the multi-billion dollar state-run Pakistan state oil (PSO), described as "gold mine" for its prospective buyers, through a "rigged and manipulated" privatisation process.

The foundation, which is technically devoted to the welfare of retired army personnel, currently runs several big firms, including the Fauji-Jordan Fertiliser Company, Fauji Fertiliser Company, Fauji Cereals, Fauji Corn Complex, Foundation Gas, Fauji Oil Terminal, Fauji Kabirwala Power Company and Mari Gas Company. Bureau Report