1999 Pakistani coup

1999 Pakistani coup. The 1999 Pakistani coup was a military coup that overthrew the Government of Pakistan led by Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and brought Pervez Musharraf, the Chief of Army Staff, to power. This event was a significant turning point in the History of Pakistan, marking the end of Nawaz Sharif's second term as Prime Minister of Pakistan and the beginning of Pervez Musharraf's rule. The coup was widely condemned by the International Community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto and Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan.

Background

The background to the coup was marked by a series of events, including the Kargil War between Pakistan and India, which was widely seen as a military failure for Pakistan. The war was launched by Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan Army without the knowledge or approval of Nawaz Sharif or the Cabinet of Pakistan. The war ended with the Washington Agreement, brokered by United States President Bill Clinton and Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin, which led to the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Kargil. The Kargil War was widely criticized by the opposition in Pakistan, including Benazir Bhutto and Asfandyar Wali Khan, as well as by the International Community, including the United Nations Security Council and the European Parliament. The war also led to a significant deterioration in relations between Pakistan and India, with both countries engaging in a series of military build-ups and diplomatic tensions, including the Atlantique incident and the Lahore Declaration.

The Coup

The coup itself took place on October 12, 1999, when Pervez Musharraf and the Pakistan Army seized power in a bloodless coup. Nawaz Sharif was arrested and imprisoned by the military authorities, along with other senior politicians and officials, including Shahbaz Sharif and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. The coup was widely condemned by the International Community, including the United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and the European Union High Representative Javier Solana. The coup also led to a significant deterioration in relations between Pakistan and the International Community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as with India and Afghanistan.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the coup saw the establishment of a military government in Pakistan, with Pervez Musharraf as the Chief Executive of Pakistan. The National Assembly of Pakistan and the Senate of Pakistan were dissolved, and a series of military courts were established to try politicians and officials accused of corruption and other crimes. The coup also led to a significant human rights crisis in Pakistan, with widespread arrests and torture of politicians, activists, and journalists, including Asma Jahangir and Hina Jilani. The International Community, including the United Nations Human Rights Council and the European Parliament, widely condemned the human rights abuses committed by the military government.

International Reaction

The international reaction to the coup was widely negative, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union all condemning the coup and calling for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. The United Nations Security Council also passed a resolution condemning the coup and calling for the release of Nawaz Sharif and other detainees. The International Community also imposed a series of sanctions on Pakistan, including the suspension of aid and trade agreements, which had a significant impact on the economy of Pakistan. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank also suspended their lending programs to Pakistan, which further exacerbated the economic crisis.

Consequences

The consequences of the coup were far-reaching and significant, with the military government of Pervez Musharraf ruling Pakistan for nearly a decade. The coup also led to a significant deterioration in relations between Pakistan and the International Community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The coup also had a significant impact on the politics of Pakistan, with the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party both being banned and their leaders exiled or imprisoned. The coup also led to a significant increase in terrorism and extremism in Pakistan, with the Taliban and other militant groups gaining strength and influence in the North-West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The War in North-West Pakistan and the Insurgency in Balochistan were also significant consequences of the coup, with the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence engaging in a series of military operations against militant groups and separatist movements. Category:1999 in Pakistan