Flashback to the darker time when nation witnessed its last military coup
ISLAMABAD – People in South Asian nation are commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the 1999 bloodless military coup that toppled Nawaz Sharif’s government.
The 1999 overthrow was the fourth such attempt in Pakistan’s history that changed the future politics in the country and was done on the order of former Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf – who is in UAE nowadays suffering from a rare medical condition.
On October 12, 1999, the former four-star general landed in Pakistan from a foreign trip abroad to lead a military regime after fellow generals had already deposed PML-N supremo’s government after the latter attempted to remove Musharraf from the post of the country’s top general.
In response, Musharraf board a national carrier flight to the country’s southern region while his loyal general began to mobilise troops stationed in nearby Rawalpindi.
As deposed PM appointed Gen Ziauddin as the new head of the military at his official residence but all of the top brass reportedly refused to accept his command.
Amid the unfolding situation, former PM and General Ziauddin realised they had to Musharraf from returning. PM’s office announced Gen Musharraf’s retirement at around 4 pm.
Later, armed forces from the 111 Brigade of the 10th Corps were on their way to the capital while other battalions stood guard outside the top court. Some troops climbed over the main gate of state-run TV during the military coup.
Following the orders, then PM Sharif refused to resign and was later escorted from the building and placed in a guest house. Forces then surrounded his home, and closed all airports, along with the state-run television and radio stations for hours.
Musharraf in a televised clip, addressed the nation saying “your armed forces have never, and shall never, let you down. We shall preserve the integrity and sovereignty of our country to the last drop of our blood. I request you all to remain calm and support your armed forces in the re-establishment of order to pave the way for a prosperous future for Pakistan.”
PML-N and other workers were detained in nationwide arrest in wake of the corruption and governance-related cases. Later, ousted PM Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz Sharif were arrested and later exiled from Pakistan, as a part of a deal in December 2000.
Musharraf then became chief executive and started reforms of the National Security Council to run state affairs. Chief Justice, including nine senior justices, refused to take an oath and later stepped down.
Former Pakistani President, Rafiq Tarar, remained President of Pakistan from 1998 to 2002 and was replaced by Musharraf after the completion of his five-year tenure. It was also the end of the two-party system in Pakistan.
Years after the coup, the current ruling party pushed for Musharraf to be tried for treason as the latter suspended the constitution and imposed emergency rules.
In the year 2013, a court was established that handed down the death sentence to former Army Chief in absentia for treason over his 2007 imposition of emergency rule however Musharraf was allowed to leave country in 2016.
Later, a provincial high court overturned the decision and dissolved the special court that had convicted former COAS.
Daily Pakistan Global Web Desk
KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on February 4, 2023 (Saturday).
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 279.9 | 283.2 |
Euro | EUR | 300.98 | 301.58 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 337.01 | 337.71 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 75.14 | 75.44 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 73.55 | 73.85 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 189 | 192 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 712.72 | 720.69 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 200 | 202.2 |
China Yuan | CNY | 39.67 | 39.73 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 39.33 | 39.73 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 34.19 | 34.54 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.28 | 3.39 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 2.5 | 2.54 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 878 | 887 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 62.83 | 63.43 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 173.25 | 175.25 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 26.79 | 27.09 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 696.08 | 704.08 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 73.62 | 74.32 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 204 | 206 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 25.61 | 25.91 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 291.69 | 294.19 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.15 | 8.30 |
KARACHI – The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 205,200 on Saturday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs175,930.
Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs167,318 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs 195,157.
Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Karachi | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Islamabad | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Peshawar | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Quetta | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Sialkot | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Attock | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Gujranwala | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Jehlum | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Multan | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Gujrat | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Nawabshah | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Chakwal | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Hyderabad | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Nowshehra | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Sargodha | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Faisalabad | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
Mirpur | PKR 205,200 | PKR 2,430 |
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