Former army chief Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar dies in Rawalpindi at 89
Former army chief Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar (retd) died in Rawalpindi on Monday at the age of 89. His funeral prayer was held at the Army Race Course Ground in Rawalpindi.
- Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar (retd) died in Rawalpindi aged 89.
- He was army chief from 12 January 1993 to 11 January 1996.
- The prime minister and other senior officials attended the funeral prayer.
Former chief of army staff Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar (retd) died in Rawalpindi on Monday at the age of 89. His death was announced by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to ISPR, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed deep grief and sorrow over his death. They paid tribute to his distinguished military service, his leadership and his services to the army. ISPR said the army shares the grief of the bereaved family and extends its heartfelt condolences.
Gen Kakar was Pakistan's eleventh army chief, serving from 12 January 1993 to 11 January 1996. He received his commission in 1959. He was a recipient of the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and the Hilal-e-Jurat.
Business Recorder reported that he played a decisive role in resolving Pakistan's 1993 political crisis, and that his legacy will continue to feature in discussions on the country's civil-military relationship.
His funeral prayer was held at the Army Race Course Ground in Rawalpindi. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Commander National Strategic Command Gen Syed Amir Raza attended. Former army chiefs, former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and serving and retired civil and military officials also took part.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief, according to the President House media wing. He conveyed his condolences and sympathy to the family and prayed for the departed soul and for patience for the bereaved.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also offered condolences to the family in a separate statement. He prayed that Allah grant the deceased a high place and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Why it matters
Gen Kakar led the army in the mid-1990s and, according to reports, played a decisive role in resolving the 1993 political crisis, which is part of Pakistan's civil-military history. His death drew condolences from the country's civil and military leadership.
