Who Was Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar? A Look at His Legacy
News Desk
RAWALPINDI: Former Chief of Army Staff General (Retd) Abdul Waheed Kakar, who played a pivotal role in resolving Pakistan’s 1993 constitutional crisis, passed away in Rawalpindi on Monday.
His death marks the passing of a military leader whose tenure was defined by a rare moment in the country’s political history, when both the president and prime minister resigned following a prolonged power struggle.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and officers and personnel of the Pakistan Army expressed deep sorrow over Kakar’s demise, paying tribute to his military service, leadership and contributions to the armed forces.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences, praying for the departed soul and patience for the bereaved family.
The General Who Broke the Deadlock
Born on March 23, 1937, in Zhob, Balochistan, Kakar joined the Pakistan Army in 1956 and was commissioned into the Frontier Force Regiment in 1959. He served in the 1965 and 1971 wars with India and subsequently held several senior command and staff positions, including command of XII Corps in Quetta.
His appointment as army chief on January 12, 1993, was itself controversial, as he was elevated over several senior military officers. However, the political crisis that unfolded during his tenure would become the defining episode of his career.
In 1993, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government, triggering a constitutional confrontation. As tensions escalated, Kakar intervened to facilitate a settlement that resulted in the resignations of both the president and the prime minister.
The development opened the way for fresh general elections and the return of Benazir Bhutto as prime minister. Rather than taking power directly, Kakar helped steer the country towards an electoral transition, making his role in the crisis a significant chapter in Pakistan’s civil-military relations.
A Career Forged in War
Kakar’s military career extended beyond the political events of 1993. He took part in military operations during the wars of 1965 and 1971 and pursued professional military education in Canada and Pakistan.
Over the years, he served in various command and staff appointments, including as adjutant general at Army General Headquarters and commander of the 16th Infantry Division in Quetta.
During his tenure as army chief, Pakistan also continued efforts to develop its defence capabilities, including the Shaheen missile project.
In September 1995, military authorities uncovered a reported conspiracy involving army officers and an extremist group to assassinate Kakar and then-prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The plot was foiled, and those implicated were arrested.
Life Beyond the Uniform
Kakar retired in 1996 after completing his three-year tenure, reportedly declining an extension. Unlike many former senior officials, he largely stayed away from public life and maintained a quiet existence in Rawalpindi.
His legacy remains closely associated with the 1993 constitutional crisis, when Pakistan’s political leadership reached an impasse and the army chief played a central role in facilitating a transition to fresh elections.
General Abdul Waheed Kakar’s career thus offers a window into a defining question in Pakistan’s history: how military leadership has intersected with constitutional authority and the country’s democratic process.
Additional input from Wikipedia.
