Pakistan Army expresses deep sorrow over demise of former COAS General Abdul Waheed Kakar

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, and all ranks of the Pakistan Army expressed deep sorrow over the death of General Abdul Waheed Kakar (retd), a former Chief of Army Staff, who died in Rawalpindi on Monday 26 October at the age of 89, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The ISPR paid tribute to the late general's distinguished military career, leadership and services to the army, shared the grief of his family and offered condolences, praying that he be granted the highest place in paradise.

Kakar was Pakistan's fifth Chief of Army Staff. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed him on 12 January 1993, after the death of General Asif Nawaz Janjua, and he retired in 1996 at the end of a three-year term.

Dawn and Business Recorder wrote that he played a decisive role in resolving Pakistan's political crisis of 1993, in which the confrontation between the president and the prime minister ended with both leaving office. Dawn said his legacy will continue to figure in discussions about the relationship between the military and civilian governments.

After retiring he stayed away from public life and lived quietly in Rawalpindi, according to Dawn. Details of the funeral were not given in the ISPR statement.

This report was expanded on 1 November 2026 using reporting from Dawn and Business Recorder.