Former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Abdul Waheed Kakar has died in Rawalpindi. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s military leadership have expressed condolences.

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK

Former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Abdul Waheed Kakar passed away in Rawalpindi on Monday, October 26, 2026, prompting condolences from Pakistan’s political leadership and military establishment.

The Pakistan Army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed his death. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and members of the armed forces expressed grief over his passing.

The military leadership paid tribute to Kakar’s career, leadership and services to the Pakistan Army. Condolences were also extended to his bereaved family, with prayers for the departed soul.

Kakar served as Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff from January 1993 to January 1996. He assumed the post following the death of his predecessor, General Asif Nawaz, and completed a three-year tenure before retiring.

His period as army chief coincided with a major political and constitutional crisis in Pakistan in 1993. The confrontation between then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ended with both leaders leaving office, followed by fresh general elections. Kakar played a significant role in efforts to resolve the standoff.

His tenure remains part of Pakistan’s modern political and military history, particularly because of the army’s involvement in resolving the constitutional impasse at the time.

The announcement of Kakar’s death was carried by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan and reported by major Pakistani news organisations. Further details about funeral arrangements and other commemorative events were not included in the initial official announcement.

Pakistan’s political and military leadership has expressed sympathy with the family as tributes continue to follow the passing of the former army chief.