On October 9, 1999, a date. To see Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a senior military officer arrived. Only six months before his scheduled retirement, this cop. But he preferred early retirement. This officer, a close friend of the PM, held one of the most crucial military assignments. So, the prime minister enquired as to why early retirement was desired. The officer retorted that he planned to stay active after retiring. He informed the PM of the opening for the Chairman of the Fauji Fertilizer Company (NFC).
He claimed that if allowed to retire six months prior to the conclusion of his term, he could lead a healthy, busy life as Chairman. The Army Chief has a crucial role in selecting members for the NFC, an organisation that is a part of the Pakistan Army. The Prime Minister informed this officer about his upcoming trip to Dubai for this reason. He therefore gave the officer his word that he would discuss this assignment with Army Chief Gen. Musharraf once he got back. This officer headed to the officers’ mess after interpreting the PM’s response as a partial agreement to his request. He then joined his former service colleagues, retired army officers.
He joyfully announced to his pals that as a soon-to-be retired officer, he would also be joining them. Lt. General Ziauddin Butt, DG, ISI, was the person in question. He had imagined a comfortable retirement free of difficult problems on October 9, 1999. But he was unaware that he would spend the next 660 days in solitary confinement after just 72 hours. What transpired over the course of three days to cause the upheaval.
This will be demonstrated by me, Faisal Warraich, in the History of Pakistan series by “Dekho, Suno, Jano.” On October 9 or 10, 1999, Nawaz Sharif was present in his Jattiumra home. He revealed to his brother, Punjab’s Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for the first time that he had made the decision to depose General Pervez Musharraf.
Nawaz Sharif’s statement shocked Shehbaz Sharif. He advised his brother that this move should have been taken four months ago rather than just now. As a result of the Kargil operation, the Air Chief and Naval Chief then had issues against General Musharraf. When Musharraf was ousted, Shehbaz Sharif warned his brother that Martial Law may follow. Nawaz Sharif remained silent perhaps because he was mentally prepared to deal with the consequences of his choice. Nawaz Sharif now started confiding in his close friends about his choice. Before taking any action, he called Brig. his Military Secretary.
Iqbal Javed The PM pulled him in. He approached him and requested that he turn off his cell phone. Additionally, the prime minister turned off his cellphone. A servant was given the phones by both parties, and he was then told to leave. Now, the only people in the lawn were Nawaz Sharif and his Military Secretary. Brig. Javed Iqbal was informed by the Prime Minister of his choice to have General Musharraf removed. Brig. Javed Iqbal was as shocked by this choice as Shehbaz Sharif was. In reference to Gen. Zia’s retaliation against Z.A. Bhutto, he informed the PM of the threat concealed in this action. The PM requested Brig for it.
Javed to identify any constitutional and/or legal issues with his choice. Gen. Musharraf and his associates who were involved in the Kargil incident, according to Brig. Javed Iqbal, “would by no means tolerate” being subjected to a court martial after being forced to retire. In order to preserve their own skin, they would therefore not think twice about going as far as to remove you from office. Brig. Javed made it known to the PM that Gen. Mehmood, Corps Commander Rawalpindi, who was instrumental in the operation at Kargil and who oversaw the 111 Brigade, which controls the PM Office’s TV, radio, and communications in an emergency Military Rule,
Mr. Javed Iqbal. The PM drew him… his cell phone off while standing close to him. Also turning off his phone was the prime minister. The servant was ordered to leave after both people handed over their phone sets to him. The only people left in the lawn at this point were Nawaz Sharif and his Military Secretary. General Musharraf was ousted by the Prime Minister, who informed Brig. Javed Iqbal of his choice. Brig. Javed Iqbal experienced the same shock upon learning of this ruling as Shehbaz Sharif. Referring to Gen. Zia’s retaliation against Z.A. Bhutto, he informed the PM of the threat concealed in this action. The PM desired Brig for it.
Gen. Musharraf and the Commission for Inquiry Into the Kargil were fired, and only 5 people were aware of the decision. They were Nazir Naji, Hussain Nawaz, Brigadier Javed Iqbal, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Even his brother Shehbaz Sharif and his closest confidante, Ch Nisar, were unaware of Nawaz Sharif’s choice. Shehbaz Sharif had been consulted by Nawaz Sharif, but he was not informed of the choice. Knowing the outcome, Naji and Hussain prepared the speech based on the advice Nawaz Sharif provided them. 11 October 1999 was the date. Nawaz Sharif departed for Dubai, where he was scheduled to meet with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, the president of the UAE. The meeting between Sheikh and PM Nawaz Sharif had two fundamental goals.
One included the $450 million the Dubai administration had stashed in banks in Pakistan that it wished to transfer to the UAE. Pakistan’s economy was not in a healthy state. After the Kargil disaster and the atomic bombings, Pakistan was in desperate need of money. Pakistan then requested that the UAE either hold this money in Pakistani banks or withdraw it later. The Taliban were a second topic. which we spoke about in the previous episode. Pakistan wanted Dubai to use its clout to pressure the Taliban to close the Afghan training facilities that were the root of the terrorism in Pakistan.
The PM required an intelligence briefing because the problem involved Afghanistan. So he travelled to Dubai with Gen. Ziauddin Butt, DG ISI. While the Prime Minister was travelling, Gen. Butt briefed him on issues pertaining to Afghanistan and Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif allegedly informed Gen. Butt about his nomination as the new Army Chief during that visit. Nawaz Sharif was joined in Dubai by NazirNaji and Hussain Nawaz. They were quietly planning a speech about Musharraf’s ouster and the Kargil inquiry while seated on a side of the aircraft.
The purpose of Nawaz Sharif’s visit was fulfilled when Sheikh Zayad agreed to his demand that the UAE funds remain in Pakistani banks. However, it was unclear to what extent the UAE was able to sway the Taliban. Therefore, at this point, it is impossible to provide a clear-cut answer to this question. On October 12, 1999, the D-day, the sun rose. After Gen. Musharraf was ousted, the speech that the prime minister had to give was mostly drafted by Nawaz Sharif. The PM was about to address the farmers in Shujabad and announce a cotton price subsidy for them. Any PM would say anything like that while speaking to the farmers.
But there was something odd about this public gathering. This public assembly had an odd quality about it. The Prime Minister was waiting impatiently for something. It got to the point where he obtained a phone set that was connected to a hotline with PM House during the open meeting. It was clear that the PM was anxiously awaiting a call. Then the telephone rang. After around one and a half minutes of conversation, the prime minister hung up the phone. But after making this brief call, everyone could see a profound anxiety streak running down his face. The PM wanted to address the farmers in this predicament before anyone else could.
Nawaz Sharif’s succinct speech was tinged with resentment from the power struggle that had been going on. He stated, obliquely hinting at Gen. Musharraf, that some people had plans to topple his administration. The PM hastily left the podium after finishing his speech and drove to Multan airport. Prior to arriving in the Capital, the PM had to make every effort to have a representative at the Islamabad airport. Gen. Iftikhar Ali Khan, Secretary of Defense, was the individual in question. However, General Iftikhar Ali Khan was at the time in critical condition. He had an endoscopy, and the physicians told him to stay in bed entirely.
He was given sleeping drugs for relaxation, and as a result, he was fast asleep on the bed. Numerous calls were placed to Gen. Iftikhar’s home at the Prime Minister’s request. The calls came in, but his wife refused to rouse him up. Mrs. Iftikhar was eventually persuaded to rouse her husband up and take him to the airport at any costs after numerous tries. Gen. Iftikhar Ali Khan was half tired and half awake when he arrived at the airport. In Islamabad, the PM had just arrived. He requested him to perform a small task while Gen and Iftikhar were with him on his automobile. The PM requested that Gen. Iftikhar inform Gen.
Chief of the Army Pervez Musharraf. Moreover, Gen. Ziauddin Butt had taken his post as the new Army Chief. The Secretary of Defense was as surprised by the PM’s request as Shehbaz Sharif and Brig. Javed Iqbal were. Gen. Iftkhar was an army officer who had since retired, thus he was familiar with army issues and the current circumstances. He therefore asked the PM if he had taken the Cabinet into confidence on that, as it was an important decision. The PM stated that the Cabinet was not important in this case and that he would inform it later.
The Secretary of Defense was reluctant to accept this choice because of its nature. He explained the consequences and advised the PM to discuss this with his close advisors Shehbaz Sharif and Ch Nisar. General Sahib, the time for consultation is over, Nawaz Sharif retorted. It was referred to as a “solo flight” by Col. Ashfaq Hussain and Nasim Zehra since the PM took it without consulting anyone. Gen. Iftikhar Ali Khan made one more effort to talk the PM out of taking this action. Gen. Iftkhar was aware of the finer points and lasting implications of such a move.
He once more attempted to dissuade the PM by posing the question, “Sir, why do you want to remove Gen. Musharraf?” He (meaning Gen. Musharraf) has been talking against him, the prime minister retorted. Gen. Iftikhar had the impression that the PM had been offended by what had been said at the Chinese Embassy. The Army Chief had voiced concern over Pakistan’s economic and security condition at the embassy. The Army Chief had also stated, while speaking at the Chinese embassy, that the government was making every effort to handle the situation, the Secretary of Defense informed the Prime Minister.
The PM was strongly urged by General Iftikhar not to dismiss the Army Chief. Nawaz Sharif, however, was adamant about it and demanded to be informed as soon as possible of Gen. Musharraf’s retirement. When Gen. Iftikhar saw his words had little impact on the PM, he switched into professional mode. He therefore requested a formal request from the Prime Minister to inform the Army Chief of his retirement. Nawaz Sharif questioned Gen. Iftikhar about it: “Are you terrified of Gen. Musharraf or one of his associates?” Gen. Iftikhar was expressly forbidden by the PM from discussing this before it was put into action.
He said it because the PM did not just want to get rid of Gen. Musharraf. Instead, he had made another crucial and significant choice. The PM kept attempting to get in touch with Saeed Mehdi, his principal secretary, for acting on that decision. Nawaz Sharif contacted Saeed Mehdi as soon as he arrived at the PM House. When Mehdi arrived, the PM questioned him fiercely, “Why haven’t my orders been followed out thus far?” “Sir, I just received your orders 15 minutes ago,” Saeed Mehdi retorted. The Prime Minister reiterated the directives to promptly form the inquiry commission into Kargil.
Then-PM Nawaz Sharif entered the room next to his office with his chief security officer, Pervez Rathor, principal secretary Saeed Mehdi, and secretary of defence, Gen. Iftikhar. The PM entered the space and ordered everyone to swear on the Holy Qur’an that “Everything said in this room will remain a secret until it is broadcast on the PTV. And none of you will speak to your wives till then.” The PM specifically instructed Gen. Iftikhar to wait till an announcement on PTV before speaking to his brother Ch Nisar. Only Saeed Mehdi was unaware of anything that was happening throughout the meeting.
Mehdi was informed by the PM of his choice to replace Gen. Musharraf as Army Chief with Gen. Ziauddin. Saeed Mehdi was shocked by the information. When was it decided, Mehdi questioned? “Just now,” the PM retorted. Saeed Medhi questioned if Gen. Musharraf will continue in his role as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Musharraf was referred to by Nawaz Sharif as “we are demoting him and your are boosting him.” When this conversation was taking place, Ch Nisar Ali Khan and Shehbaz Sharif were also present in the PM.
The PM was informed by Saeed Mehdi in the same way that Gen. Iftikhar had earlier. He stated: “Shehbaz Sharif and Sir Ch Nisar are present. If only you could speak with them on my behalf.” The Prime Minister reiterated that “the time for consultation is over” in his prior response. The order was then typed by the PM, who then presented it to the President for approval. On the order, the President scribbled, “saw,” and then signed it. The signed copy of the order was now in the hands of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Additionally, PTV Chairman Pervez Rashid was holding a copy of the speech that the PM was required to deliver in public.
Pervez Rashid was holding a copy of the speech when Ch Nisar Ali and Shehbaz Sharif observed him from behind a glass. However, they were not aware of the documents that Hussain Nawaz, Nazir Naji, and Pervez Rashid were concentrating on. They requested a meeting with the prime minister in a message. However, the Prime Minister told them to wait and declined to meet with them. The Prime Minister contacted his Secretary of Defense while they were waiting. He requested that the Secretary of Defense officially notify the Army Chief of his replacement. that the Kargil War Inquiry has been started and that Gen. Musharraf has retired.
Additionally, the new Army Chief is General Ziauddin Butt, who has been given a promotion to 4-star general. It was now time to summon General Ziauddin Butt to the PM House so that he could take over the new position. The PM wanted to see him, the military secretary to the PM told Gen. Ziauddin Butt over the phone. A few days prior, three significant terrorist acts occurred in Punjab. Gen. Ziauddin and Shehbaz Sharif were scheduled to meet at the PM House that day to discuss law and order in the Punjab. Gen. Ziauddin was already getting ready to meet Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House. Gen. Ziauddin Butt arrived early at the PM House after receiving the communication from the PM.
Another interesting occasion was Gen. Ziauddin Butt’s arrival at the PM House. He was accompanied by about 80 to 90 SGG commandos. They had Uzi machine guns with them. These commandos received training from the United States in order to apprehend Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. So Gen. Ziauddin Butt entered the PM House amidst these commandos. Here, he started to receive congratulations on his selection as the next Army Chief. The PM requested that Brig. Javed Iqbal, his military secretary, organise a ceremony for decorating badges.
It was a quick ceremony that satisfied the requirements of law and the constitution for the replacement of the Army Chief. Gen. Ziauddin Butt, who had announced his intention to retire early a week earlier, is now the Army Chief. At the highest level of the administration, it appears to have been a routine replacement. However, this replacement was not an easy one. Why? Because Gen. Musharraf and his associates were already on guard anticipating an event like this. In the series’ last episode, I already told you this.
It was complicated because during the first two years of Nawaz Sharif’s second term in office, the Prime Minister’s opponents included President Farooq Leghari, Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, Army Chief Jahangir Karamat, and two Naval Chiefs. In their respective institutions, they were all in prominent positions. Another senior officer was being ejected by Nawaz Sharif in this background due to forced retirement. The opposition was using street power to undermine Nawaz Sharif’s administration at the same time.
It was a quick ceremony that satisfied the requirements of law and the constitution for the replacement of the Army Chief. Gen. Ziauddin Butt, who had announced his intention to retire early a week earlier, is now the Army Chief. At the highest level of the administration, it appears to have been a routine replacement. However, this replacement was not an easy one. Why? Because Gen. Musharraf and his associates were already on guard anticipating an event like this. In the series’ last episode, I already told you this.
He informed GHQ Gen. Masood, the military secretary, of his assignment. Gen. Butt requested that Gen. Masood quickly release two posting orders. In the initial order, Gen. Mehmood was to be replaced as Commander of 10-Corps and 111-Brigade. Gen. Masood was directed by Gen. Ziauddin to replace Gen. Mehmood with Gen. Saleem Haider. Second, Gen. Butt mandated that Gen. Akram succeed Gen. Aziz as Chief of the General Staff. The Military Secretary congratulated Gen. Ziauddin on his new position before cutting off the phone. Later, when Gen. Butt didn’t get in touch with Gen.
He sent a message for Mahmood and Gen. Aziz, telling them that the PM had told him to treat Gen. Musharraf with the utmost respect upon his return from Sri Lanka. was escorted to the Army House in Karachi where he would reside. Commander 5-Corps Gen. Muzaffar Usmani was contacted since Gen. Musharraf had to fly into Karachi. Karachi’s Corps Commander was Gen. Usmani. Gen. Usmani was already preparing to meet Gen. Musharraf at the airport in Karachi. Informing Gen. Usmani of his appointment as the new Army Chief was Gen. Ziauddin. Musharraf is addressed as a former Army Chief General.
He informed Military Secretary GHQ Gen. Masood of his appointment. Gen. Butt urged Gen. Masood to promptly release two posting orders. The first order called for Gen. Mehmood to be replaced as Commander of 10-Corps and 111-Brigade. Gen. Masood was instructed by Gen. Ziauddin to replace Gen. Mehmood with Gen. Saleem Haider. Second, Gen. Butt directed that Gen. Akram succeed Gen. Aziz as Chief of the General Staff. Gen. Ziauddin was congratulated on his new position by the Military Secretary before the call came to an end. Later, when Gen. Butt was unable to get in touch with Gen.
This news had to be broadcast via PTV. The Kashmiri news broadcast was thus stopped from airing after the PTV revealed the news. Except for the three people that Musharraf had requested to remain watchful, the entire country was informed of this news. Yes, General Musharraf had given the three generals the authority to overthrow the civil administration if he were to lose his position as Army Chief before departing for Sri Lanka. They were Generals Shahid Aziz, General Mehmood, and General Aziz Khan. Let-Gen. Shahid Aziz, the director general of military operations, was then very busy moving his house.
From the office, his subordinate called and inquired, “Did you watch the news on PTV, sir? Sir, you can see what took place. General Musharraf has been fired from his position.” Gen. Shahid Aziz quickly hid his laptop after that. He wanted the laptop to be sent to his brother since it contained the entire plan to overthrow the country. Gen. Shahid then hurried to his office. Where could the other two Generals be found? Specifically, Generals Aziz and Mehmood, who were at the time playing golf in Rawalpindi. They quit the game when they heard about the “change of leadership” and proceeded according to plan.
They first got in touch with Gen. Usmani, who was on his way to meet Gen. Musharraf at the airport in Karachi. Gen. Ziauddin Butt, the new Army Chief, has already called Gen. Usmani. Let’s move on to PTV now. Once it had gone live, the MD PTV was getting ready to replay the news of Gen. Musharraf’s ouster. The MD was abruptly informed of the appearance of a Major and a dozen soldiers in the building’s newsroom. What took place next? What scene were those who witnessed the arrest of the PM, who was recently hailed as a hero in Kashmir?
In the upcoming episode of History of Pakistan, we’ll show you what happened in the last few seconds of the last coup. Visit our History of Pakistan series to learn more about the notable events that have occurred in Pakistan. and here is a link to the history of China if you’re interested in learning how China rose to global power. Click here to watch if you’re interested in learning more about space sciences. The scholars from Stanford University in California assisted in the preparation of the scientific programme The Whole Universe.Contact Us