1995 Pakistani coup d'etat

The 1995 Pakistani coup d'etat was an event that took place on the 13th of August 1995, where Chief of Army Staff Gn. Abdul Waheed Kakar took power by deposing the now disgraced leader Benazir Bhutto, following months of political instability and crisis.

## Background

Pakistan had been suffering from severe political instability, with Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attempting to reduce the power of the Pakistani military in the nation's overall affairs, reflecting beliefs that the army had far too much power in the country. Some of her reforms included reducing the military budget to symbolise both reapproachment with India as well as her sentiment that the military should not be given the importance it has in Pakistan. She also included major budget cuts to ISI, which many in the civilian sector believed was responsible for organising the military's power over the Pakistani government and informing them on threats to their control. She also reorganised the government and courts to bring in less militaristic individuals to further reduce the power of the military over the civilian government.

While Bhutto succeeded in lessening the hard power of the military through budget cuts, her policies ended up severely backfiring against her. The budget cuts against the ISI coincided with increasing deaths amongst members of the Pakistani army due to attacks by a vast variety of small rebel groups in Balochistan. The military also influenced media organisations throughout Pakistan, expressing a tone that attempted to portray the Pakistan armed forces, the "valiant and brave protectors of Pakistan", as under threat by Benazir Bhutto.

By mid-1995, subsequent scandals along with pro-military sentiment had snowballed into a massive popular wave of opposition against Benazir Bhutto's government, Bhutto's approval ratings crashing to barely 15%. By now, many sought the military's aid in deposing Benazir Bhutto, who was now seen as nothing but a stooge of the corrupt.

## Coup d'etat

Abdul Waheed Kakar was known to be a strong opponent of Benazir Bhutto, although she had reportedly refused to try and remove him due to her belief that doing so would antagonise the military further.

During the warm evening of August 13th 1995, a number of armed Pakistani troops entered Islamabad inside various trucks disguised as civilian in nature. These troops surrounded several locations, including the Prime Minister Office, the Prime Minister Enclave and the Parliament. Armed security did not put up any fight, with most choosing to defect to the army. Once it was clear that there was unlikely to be any resistance to the coup, armed troops entered the office where Benazir Bhutto had been taking cover and arrested her under the accusation of treason, along with most of her government.

Abdul Waheed Kakar formally became the Prime Minister of Pakistan before sunrise, with many Pakistanis waking up to a curfew and the news that Benazir Bhutto was no longer the prime minister. In many areas, curfew restrictions were openly flouted as Pakistanis took to the streets to rejoice, while a smaller number protested the coup, with the latter being targeted by troops during their demonstrations.

## Outcome

The events of the coup d'etat changed Pakistan as a nation heavily, with the military once again being the centre of the nation. At the same time, growing anxiety and the control of the military within the government soon culminated in the Kashmir War.