October’s defining events that shook Pakistan

Summary

• Musharraf’s appointment and the 1999 coup On October 7, 1998, then-president Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, acting on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, appointed General Pervez Musharraf as the new chief of army staff (COAS).
• Initially, Pakistan Television (PTV), then the country’s only television broadcaster, aired a news ticker announcing that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had removed Musharraf as army chief and appointed then-Inter-Services Intelligence chief General Ziauddin Butt in his place.
• General elections for the ninth National Assembly were held on October 24, 1990, paving the way for Nawaz Sharif to become the country’s 13th prime minister.

AI Generated Summary

October, the 10th month of the calendar year, is now more than a fortnight old. For any nation, every day can become significant when important developments and events take place, with short- or long-term effects on the future. Nations that remember their history can learn from both good and bad events. These lessons can help them avoid decisions and actions that may lead to further problems.

October has assumed considerable importance in Pakistan’s turbulent political history. Several significant events have taken place during this month in the 79 years since Pakistan emerged as an independent country on August 14, 1947.

On October 16, 1951, just over four years after the creation of Pakistan, the country’s first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was shot dead while addressing a public meeting at Gol Bagh in Rawalpindi. The site was later renamed Liaquat Bagh in his honour. His assassination was the first major political murder in the newly established country. The inquiry report into this mysterious killing has never been made public. It also remains unclear whether a post-mortem examination was conducted at the time.

Another tragic incident occurred on October 17, 1998, when Hamdard Foundation chairman and former Sindh governor Hakim Muhammad Saeed was shot dead by unknown assailants while travelling in his car to Hamdard Laboratories.

Hakim Muhammad Saeed was one of Pakistan’s most prominent researchers in Eastern medicine. He established the Hamdard Foundation in 1948 and authored or compiled around 200 books during his lifetime. His works covered medicine, philosophy, science, health, religion, natural remedies, literature, social issues and travelogues.

October has also witnessed military takeovers by army chiefs in different years.

Musharraf’s appointment and the 1999 coup

On October 7, 1998, then-president Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, acting on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, appointed General Pervez Musharraf as the new chief of army staff (COAS). Musharraf superseded several generals senior to him.

He was subsequently appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee on April 9, 1999, bringing the two senior military positions under one person.

The post of army chief had fallen vacant after General Jehangir Karamat was forced to resign by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Karamat had proposed a civil-military partnership in governance. A similar concept was later reflected in the establishment of the National Security Council through an Act of Parliament.

The chief of army staff is generally appointed for a three-year term. However, the tenure can be shortened or extended by the competent authority, depending on the circumstances and whether a civilian or military ruler is in power.

October 12, 1999, proved to be a turning point in Pakistan’s political history. The civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was overthrown, and General Pervez Musharraf seized power, assuming the title of chief executive. President Rafiq Tarar remained in office until 2001.

The events unfolded during the afternoon and culminated in the military takeover by the evening.

Initially, Pakistan Television (PTV), then the country’s only television broadcaster, aired a news ticker announcing that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had removed Musharraf as army chief and appointed then-Inter-Services Intelligence chief General Ziauddin Butt in his place.

A couple of hours later, another ticker announced that Nawaz Sharif had been ousted and Musharraf had seized power.