Former army chief Gen (retd) Abdul Waheed Kakar passes away in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military and political leadership on Monday expressed grief over the death of retired General Abdul Waheed Kakar, a former chief of army staff who passed away in Rawalpindi.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir paid tribute to Kakar and extended condolences to his bereaved family.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Field Marshal Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed deep sorrow over Kakar’s death.

The military paid tribute to his distinguished military career, leadership and invaluable services to the Pakistan Army. It also offered condolences to his family and prayed for strength and patience for them.

Zardari, Shehbaz express condolences

President Zardari expressed grief over Kakar’s death and extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his family, according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Wing.

The president prayed for the departed soul and asked Allah Almighty to grant Kakar a place in His mercy and give his family patience and strength.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also expressed deep sorrow over the former army chief’s death, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

He paid tribute to Kakar’s valuable services to the Pakistan Army and extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to his bereaved family.

Shehbaz prayed that Allah Almighty grant the late general an exalted place in His mercy and give his family the strength to bear the loss.

Awards and honours

Kakar received several military and civilian honours during his career, including the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Basalat, Sitara-e-Harb for the 1965 and 1971 wars, Tamgha-e-Jang for the 1965 and 1971 wars, Tamgha-e-Hijri, Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat and the Order of Military Merit (OMM) of Jordan.

What was the ‘Kakar formula’?

Kakar played a key role in resolving a political deadlock in 1993, when then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government on April 18 under Article 58(2)(b) of the Constitution. Although the Supreme Court restored Nawaz’s government, tensions between the prime minister and the president continued.

As army chief, Kakar brokered an agreement between Ishaq Khan, Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto. Known as the “Kakar formula,” the deal called for the prime minister’s resignation, dissolution of the assemblies, fresh elections, the appointment of a neutral caretaker prime minister and the president’s resignation.

The agreement paved the way for fresh elections on October 6, 1993, after Ishaq Khan and Nawaz Sharif stepped down. The PPP won 89 National Assembly seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured 73. Benazir returned as prime minister for a second term.

Her government was dismissed by President Farooq Leghari in November 1996, paving the way for another general election in 1997.