Dramatis Personae

[fatman17]

ISKANDER MIRZA, Sandhurst trained officer in the British Indian Army, later joined the civil service. Held many posts (in chronological order): secty of defence in independent Pakistan, governor-general of E/Pakistan, home minister, governor-general (he was the last one to hold this post before it was abolished), and finally the first president of the republic of Pakistan. Overthrown and sent into exile in October 58 by General M.Ayub Khan. Died in London on 12 Nov 1969, nearly nine months after Ayub himself was overthrown by General A.M.Yayha Khan.

GENERAL SIR FRANK MESSERVY, first C-in-C of the Pakistan Army, took charge of his post at independence on 14 August 1947. Had differences with civilian leadership over the surreptitious conduct of the First Kashmir War with India. Left office in Feburary 48.

GENERAL SIR DOUGLAS GRACEY, second C-in-C of the Pakistan Army, took over from Messervy with whom he had served as deputy C-in-C. Left office in January 51.

GENERAL, later FIELD MARSHAL M. AYUB KHAN, first native C-in-C of the Pakistan Army, succeeded Gracey on 17 January 51. Later made defence minister and then chief martial law administrator by Iskander Mirza on 12 October 58. Overthrew Iskander Mirza on 27 October 58 and became president. Cemented the relationship with the US but then broke with his former ally to shift towards China. Instituted a form of controlled democracy called "Basic Democracy". Overthrown by his chosen C-in-C, General A.M.Yayha Khan in April 69. Died 19 April 74.

to be continued....

 

[fatman17]

GENERAL MOHAMMAD MUSA KHAN, succeeded Ayub as army chief in 58.Saw action in the British Indian Army in Waziristan and North Africa. Was the first chief to rise from the ranks, having joined the army as a soldier.Failed to influence planning for the Kashmir war in 65 and was generally overshadowed by Ayub Khan. Retired in 66 and then served in various civilian positions; as governor of West Pakistan and later as governor of his native Balochistan. Died in 91.

GENERAL AGHA MOHAMMAD YAYHA KHAN, a decorated officer in the British Indian Army in WWII. A energetic and hard working young officer, he rose rapidly in independent Pakistan as a member of the team that helped Ayub Khan overthrow Iskander Mirza in October 58. Was made C-in-C of the Pakistan Army after Musa Khan by Ayub Khan in 66, and ended up removing Ayub Khan from power in 69 and taking over as president. Held elections (generally accepted as free and fair) in 70 that allowed the Awami League of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman in E/Pakistan and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's PPP in West Pakistan, to come to the fore. A simple and well meaning man, he found himself out of his depth in politics and as a result of bad advice and poor decisions led Pakistan into a military debacle against India that resulted in the birth of independent Bangladesh and a stalemate in West Pakistan. He played a key role in the US connection with the PR of China by arranging Secty of State Henry Kissinger's secret visit to Beijing and was rewarded by president Nixon's undying gratitude. He died on 4 August 80, following complications resulting from a stroke.

LT.GEN. GUL HASAN KHAN. Chief of General Staff (CGS) during 71 war with India, became Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) on 20 December 71 after Bhutto took over as president and changed the title of C-in-C to CoAS. Bhutto removed him suddenly on 3 March 72 after accusing him of "bonapartist" tendencies. Became ambassador to Austria but resigned in protest against Bhutto's refusal to call fresh elections in 77. Died in Rawalpindi on 10 October 99.

GENERAL ZIA UL HAQ, successor of General Tikka Khan as CoAS from 76 until his death in an air crash on 17 August 88. Overthrew prime minister ZA Bhutto on 5 July 77 and became president and CoAS concurrently. Instrumental in helping US launch a covert jihad (holy war) against the soviet invasion of Afghanistan and building up the ISI Directorate as the executing agency for that war. Introduced islamist reforms and economic and social systems in Pakistan and Islamized the Pakistan Army.

GENERAL AKHTAR ABDUR REHMAN, DG of the ISI under president Ziaul Haq and the key figure in the execution of the Afghan jihad against the Soviet Union. Promoted to General and made Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), a largely ceremonial position in 87. Killed in the same air crash that claimed the life of General Ziaul Haq in August 88.

GENERAL TIKKA KHAN, CoAS from March 72 to March 76. Succeeded Gul Hasan. Gained notoriety in army actions in Balochistan and later in E/Pakistan in 71, as an officer who followed orders without question. Later joined Bhutto's PPP and served as defence advisor to both the father and his daughter, Benazir Bhutto.

to be continued...

 

[fatman17]

GENERAL MIRZA ASLAM BEG, VCoAS under Ziaul Haq, took over as CoAS after Zia's death in August 88 and facilitated the constitutional handover of power to the then chairman of the senate, Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Retained his hand in pakistani politics however, and was instrumental in the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto's government in August 90. Publicly opposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's decision to send troops to aid the coalition forces that helped evict Iraq from Kuwait in 90. Wished to be elevated to a re-defined and more powerful position of CJCS when his three-year tenure was coming to an end, but President Ishaq Khan did not acede to that plan and instead named the newly appointed CGS, Lt.Gen. Asif Nawaz, as Beg's successor.On retirement, Beg created his own think-tank and set up a political party that failed to gain much popular support. Continues to write commentaries on national and international topics for the press.

GENERAL ASIF NAWAZ, the tenth army chief, became CoAS on 16 August 91 and died in office after a heart attack on 8 January 93. Served as commander of V Corps in Karachi, responsible for Sindh, and then briefly as CGS before being selected by President Ishaq Khan to succeed Aslam Beg as CoAS. Last of the Sandhurst trained army chiefs. Developed differences with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the government's one-sided policies against terrorists and violence in Sindh and over the prime minister's attempts to intrude into military promotions and other matters.

GENERAL ABDUL WAHEED Kakar, commander of XII Corps in Quetta when Gen. Asif Nawaz died in office on 8 January 93. Named CoAS by President Ishaq Khan on 12 January 93 and completed his three-year tenure in 96, refusing to accept an extension that was offered to him by the then Prime Minister B.Bhutto. Instrumental in ousting both President Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister N.Sharif in 93. Key supporter of Pakistan's quest for a nuclear weapon and did his best to keep the covert programme going. Led a private, reclusive life in Rawalpindi after retirement.

 

[batmannow]

GENERAL MIRZA ASLAM BEG, VCoAS under Ziaul Haq, took over as CoAS after Zia's death in August 88 and facilitated the constitutional handover of power to the then chairman of the senate, Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Retained his hand in pakistani politics however, and was instrumental in the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto's government in August 90. Publicly opposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's decision to send troops to aid the coalition forces that helped evict Iraq from Kuwait in 90. Wished to be elevated to a re-defined and more powerful position of CJCS when his three-year tenure was coming to an end, but President Ishaq Khan did not acede to that plan and instead named the newly appointed CGS, Lt.Gen. Asif Nawaz, as Beg's successor.On retirement, Beg created his own think-tank and set up a political party that failed to gain much popular support. Continues to write commentaries on national and international topics for the press.

GENERAL ASIF NAWAZ, the tenth army chief, became CoAS on 16 August 91 and died in office after a heart attack on 8 January 93. Served as commander of V Corps in Karachi, responsible for Sindh, and then briefly as CGS before being selected by President Ishaq Khan to succeed Aslam Beg as CoAS. Last of the Sandhurst trained army chiefs. Developed differences with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the government's one-sided policies against terrorists and violence in Sindh and over the prime minister's attempts to intrude into military promotions and other matters.

GENERAL ABDUL WAHEED Kakar, commander of XII Corps in Quetta when Gen. Asif Nawaz died in office on 8 January 93. Named CoAS by President Ishaq Khan on 12 January 93 and completed his three-year tenure in 96, refusing to accept an extension that was offered to him by the then Prime Minister B.Bhutto. Instrumental in ousting both President Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister N.Sharif in 93. Key supporter of Pakistan's quest for a nuclear weapon and did his best to keep the covert programme going. Led a private, reclusive life in Rawalpindi after retirement.

fatman sir, in historical mood!

 

[fatman17]

GENERAL JEHANGIR KARAMAT, named CoAS by President Farooq Leghari in 96 when Waheed Kakar retired. Resigned in 98 after a difference of opinion with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over Karamat's proposal of a National Security Council to formalise the army's role in governing the country. Earlier he had refused to enter the battle between President Leghari and Prime Minister Sharif over the removal of the chief justice. Succeeded by General Pervez Musharraf who later appointed him as ambassador to the US. After retirement, he remained active as a lecturer on politico-military matters at home and in think tanks abroad.

GENERAL PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, succeeded Karamat as CoAS in 1998. Key supporter of the Pakistani action in Kashmir near Kargil that produced a short and fierce battle over several months in 98 and that was brought to an end after the intervention of President Clinton of the US in July 99. Had strong differences with Prime Minister Sharif after that event and following further quarrels, including about the appointment of senior officers in the army close to Sharif, the prime minister removed him from office and replaced him with Lt.Gen. Ziauddin Khawaja on 12 October 99, while Musharraf was in an aircraft returning from Sri Lanka. Musharraf's colleagues launched a coup d'etat and removed Sharif from power. Musharraf became chief executive and then president of Pakistan, while retaining his position of army chief till late in 2007. He broke with the Taliban after the Al-Qaeda attacks on the US of 9/11 and became a key US ally in the "War on Terror" becoming the target of various assassination attempts in the process.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL HAMID GUL, then major general was appointed DG-ISI after the promotion of then Lt.Gen. Akhtar Abdur Rehman to CJSC. Active in the Afghan war during its final stages and takes the credit for setting up the IJI, a coalition of Islamist opposition parties that fought against the PPP in the 88 elections. Later promoted to Lt.Gen., he was removed from the ISI on Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's request in 89 and made corps commander Multan. Moved by CoAS General Asif Nawaz in early 92 to the HIC in Taxila but refused to go and was retired from the army. Continued to remain active in politics, taking a staunch Islamist stance on national and international issues.

End.

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi Fatman,

What happened when Gen Hamid Gul invaded afghanistan---he had supposedly promised Benazir that he will capture the country or something like that.

I would love to read the details. Thanks. MK

 

[fatman17]

Hi Fatman,

What happened when Gen Hamid Gul invaded afghanistan---he had supposedly promised Benazir that he will capture the country or something like that.

I would love to read the details. Thanks. MK

yes indeed - he and his buddy g/hekmatyar besieged the city of jalalabad for weeks but could not takeover the city. it was a debacle which cost the ISI (read GoP) a lot of money!

 

[third eye]

The common threads that run thru almost all the posts read above are :

1. Interference of the Army in the running of the state of Pk almost since inception to a point that it now is institutionalized.

2. Intrigue .

3. Conspiracy.

4. Manipulation of politicians by the army & at times vice versa.

Its for the ppl of Pk to decide the 'rights' & ' wrongs " of it all.

A handy summary though sketchy, would have liked to read more details of some Gents like Tikka Khan, Yahya Khan, Gul etc.

 

[fatman17]

The common threads that run thru almost all the posts read above are :

1. Interference of the Army in the running of the state of Pk almost since inception to a point that it now is institutionalized.

2. Intrigue .

3. Conspiracy.

4. Manipulation of politicians by the army & at times vice versa.

Its for the ppl of Pk to decide the 'rights' & ' wrongs " of it all.

A handy summary though sketchy, would have liked to read more details of some Gents like Tikka Khan, Yahya Khan, Gul etc.

my bad!

should have added the politicians sketches to balance it out!
anyway what u say cannot be denied!