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Pak Studies History IGCSEPDF 179

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6. Pakistan’s Foreign Relations (1997–2001) 5. Military Coup by General Pervez Musharraf (1999) Q1: Describe Pakistan’s relations with India from 1997 to 2001. (7 marks) Q1: Why did General Musharraf overthrow Nawaz Sharif’s government in 1999? (7 marks) Q2: What were the main effects of Musharraf’s coup on Pakistan? (14 marks) Pakistan’s relations with India fluctuated between peace and hostility during this period. In 1999, Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed the Lahore Declaration to promote peace, trade, and nuclear General Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif’s government on 12 October 1999 due to growing civil–military tensions and political instability. The immediate cause was Nawaz’s attempt to dismiss Musharraf while he was on a flight returning from Sri Lanka and to prevent his plane from landing in Pakistan. The army viewed this as an attack on its leadership and moved to seize control. Long-term causes included corruption, poor governance, and the army’s dissatisfaction after the Kargil War, where it believed the government had mishandled the situation. The coup was justified by the military as necessary to save Pakistan from political chaos and economic collapse. Musharraf’s coup led to the suspension of the Constitution, dissolution of Parliament, and establishment of military rule. He declared himself Chief Executive and later President, promising accountability, economic reform, and good governance. Political leaders, including Nawaz Sharif, were arrested or exiled. Musharraf introduced the Devolution of Power Plan in 2000 to create elected local governments and increase administrative efficiency. The economy gradually stabilized due to reforms and later foreign aid, particularly after Pakistan joined the U.S.-led War on Terror. However, democracy suffered, as political freedoms were restricted and institutions weakened. The coup brought temporary stability but delayed the return of full civilian rule.