A QUARTER of a century ago, on Oct 12, 1999, the then army chief, General Pervez Musharraf, ousted the civilian government and took control of the country. The takeover was one of the key turning points in the country’s history. The unlawful dismissal of an elected government reshaped the tricky civil-military dynamics in the country, the implications of which are still relevant.

The replacement of Gen Musharraf with Gen Ziauddin Butt as the army chief during the former’s tour abroad led to the government’s dismissal and the imposition of emergency in the country after the control of state institutions, including the headquarters of Pakistan Television in Islamabad (as can be seen in the image above), was captured by troops. This highlighted how personal grudges among powerful individuals could erode democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan.

In his address to the nation a few days later (Oct 17), Gen Musharraf said he believed in democracy, but wondered if the variety of democracy in the country was the “democracy our Quaid-i-Azam had envisaged”. However, the Quaid’s vision on the matter was utterly unambiguous. Speaking at the Army Command and Staff College in Quetta on June 14, 1948, the Quaid said: “Do not forget that the armed forces are the servants of the people. You do not make national policy; it is we, the civilians, who decide these issues, and it is your duty to carry out these tasks with which you are entrusted.”

As we reflect on the events of Oct 12, 1999, and the history of military rule in Pakistan, it is significant to recognise the importance of upholding the democratic principles envisioned by the father of the nation. Only through a collective commitment to justice, accountability, and respect for human rights can Pakistan forge a path towards a stable and prosperous future for all its citizens.

Hussain Aaquib Rajpar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024