Lahore: A bloodless coup took place in Pakistan in October 1999, which saw the Army overthrow the democratically-elected civilian government headed by Nawaz Sharif.
Army Chief Gen. Pervez Musharraf, acting as the country’s Chief Executive, issued a controversial provisional order suspending the Constitution of Pakistan.
Almost a quarter of century later, three-time former PM Sharif said that he was ousted from the government in 1999 by the Late Musharraf for opposing the Kargil misadventure to maintain good relations with India and other neighbours.
“I should be told why I was ousted in 1993 and 1999. When I opposed the Kargil plan saying it should not happen… I was ousted (by Gen. Pervez Musharraf). And later what I said proved right,” said Sharif, the leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Musharraf became the head of Pakistan’s Armed Forces in 1998 and was promoted to four-star general by Sharif himself.
However, Musharraf in 1999 led the Kargil infiltration, leading to war between India and Pakistan.
India emerged victorious in the prolonged war, lasting from May 3 to July 26.
Stung by the loss face, Sharif tried to remove Musharraf as Army supremo, but failed. Musharraf took his revenge by staging a coup in October 1999.
Sharif, who is boosting his party by holding daily meetings ahead of February 8 general elections next year, lamented that he was delivering as PM on all three occasions only to be sent packing.
“We delivered on every front. During my tenure as PM, two Indian prime ministers visited Pakistan. Modi sahab and Vajpayee sahab had come to Lahore,” Sharif said, claiming that he ensured improved relations with India and other neighbouring countries.
“I want to know why I was ousted every time,” he asked.
Sharif returned to Pakistan after four years of self-imposed exile in the UK.
