RAWALPINDI (The Thursday Times) — Former army chief General (retd) Abdul Waheed Kakar, who led the Pakistan Army from 1993 to 1996, has died in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing said on Monday.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed deep sorrow at his death, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“The CDF and all ranks of the Pakistan Army pay tribute to the late general’s distinguished military career, leadership and invaluable services to the Pakistan Army,” the statement said. “Pakistan Army shares the grief of the bereaved family and offers its heartfelt condolences.”
Army chief through a political crisis
Kakar served as chief of army staff from January 1993 to January 1996. During his tenure, he pressed then-president Ghulam Ishaq Khan and then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif to resign, a move that led to the 1993 general election in which Benazir Bhutto became prime minister.
He retired at the end of his three-year term.
Tributes
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow at Kakar’s death and conveyed his condolences to the family, his office said. “The president prays for the bereaved family to be granted the strength to bear this loss with patience,” the statement read.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the late general’s “invaluable services” to the armed forces, state broadcaster PTV reported.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on X he was “deeply saddened” by Kakar’s death. “His distinguished service to Pakistan and the Pakistan Army will be remembered with the highest regard,” Dar wrote.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan praised Kakar’s “professional dedication and the manner in which he fulfilled his national duties”, saying he would “always be remembered with honour and respect”.
