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Muzaffar Hussain Usmani
مظفر حسین عثمانی
File:MuzzafarHussainUsmani.jpg
Deputy Chief of Army Staff

In office
17 May 2001 – 8 October 2001
Corps Commander Karachi

In office
October 1998 – 16 May 2001
Corps Commander Bahawalpur

In office
May 1997 – October 1998
Personal details
Born (1945-02-08)8 February 1945
Moradabad, British India
Died 1 October 2020(2020-10-01) (aged 75)
Khayaban-e-Sehr, DHA Karachi, Pakistan
Resting place Fauji Qabristan
Children 2
Military service
Allegiance Flag of Pakistan Pakistan
Service/branch Flag of the Pakistani Army Pakistan Army
Years of service 1966—2001
Rank OF-8 PakistanArmy US-O9 insignia LTG
Unit 10 Frontier Force Regiment
Commands Deputy COAS
Vice CGS
V Corps
XXXI Corps
DG Military Training
IG Training & Evaluation
Platoon & Company Commander PMA
Battles/wars Siachen conflict
Awards Hilal-e-Imtiaz Hilal-i-Imtiaz

LTG Muzaffar Hussain Usmani rcds, psc, HI(M) (Urdu language: مظفر حسین عثمانی‎ ‎; 8 February 1945 – 1 October 2020) was a retired three-star general of the Pakistan Army who had the exclusive distinction of being the only Deputy COAS. He is known for taking over Karachi Airport with a team of SSG commandos after PM Sharif tried to prevent an international flight from landing with General Musharraf onboard because Nawaz wanted to appoint Ziauddin Butt as COAS. Musharraf made his way to the cockpit where he contacted the ATC to figure out what was going on. During the communication General Iftikhar, who had taken over the ATC, informed Musharraf that his retirement had been announced and he was to be replaced by Zia. Further informing him that the army had taken control and was attempting to divert Musharraf's plane to prevent it from landing in Karachi. However, General Usmani, whom Musharraf trusted, was waiting for him at the VIP lounge in the airport.

Musharraf realized the urgency of the situation but remained anxious because he had not yet spoken directly to General Usmani. Concerned that General Iftikhar might be involved in a plot to arrest him at the airport, Musharraf's aides on the plane prepared for such a scenario and attempted to take the weapons of the Air Marshals on board, suspecting an internal coup within the army. Musharraf asked the pilot to land in Karachi and upon touchdown it was dangerously low on fuel with only seven minutes left. Musharraf had refused to come out of the plane until Usmani had reassured him that the coup was in Musharrafs' favor and the army was united. Sharif and Butt along with others were immediately arrested by Mahmud Ahmed.[1][2][3][4][5]

Both Usmani and LTG Mahmud Ahmed were regarded as "hardline Islamists" and were sacked on 8 October 2001 by Musharraf for being against his Pro-American policies and sympathetic towards Pashtun tribesmen.[6][7][8]

Early life[]

He was born on 8 February 1945 to Azhar Hussain Usmani in Moradabad, British India. During the Partition of India in 1947, his family migrated to Pakistan.

He received his secondary education from St. Patrick's High School, Karachi and graduated class of 1959.[9]

Personal life[]

Usmani was married and had 2 children, one son and one daughter. As per LTG Amjad Shoaib, Usmani was crushed due to the illness and eventual demise of his son as well as his daughter's illness.[10] Prior to Usmani's death, his wife passed away a few months earlier.[11]

Friendship with Musharraf[]

He had been a close friend of Musharraf and colleague for years, first starting as a student and then fellow instructor at both Pakistan Command and Staff College and National Defence College.[12]

Military career[]

Usmani began his military career at the age of 21 in May 1966, when he was commissioned into the army upon completion of the 36th Pakistan Military Academy course. He was posted as an instructor at the School of Infantry and Tactics in Quetta in 1970. Four years later, he became a Platoon and Company Commander at the Pakistan Military Academy.

Upon being promoted to Colonel, he commanded two armoured infantry battalions including one in Saudi Arabia. After becoming Brigadier, he commanded an infantry brigade and a mechanized brigade.[13]

After being appointed to general, he held several high-ranking positions in the army including commanding an infantry division, Corps Commander Karachi, Corps Commander Bahawalpur and Deputy COAS.[14]

Attock Conspiracy 1973[]

After the failed military coup in 1973, also known as the Attock Conspiracy, ZA Bhutto wanted COAS Zia to hand the death penalty to those involved especially Brigadier F.B Ali. However, Jahan Dad Khan and Usmani who were junior members of the tribunal were opposed to this. Nonetheless, those accused including Brigadier Ali were still awarded the maximum sentences including long custodial sentences and having their pensions cancelled.[15]

Corps Commander Bahawalpur[]

He became Corps Commander Bahawalpur in May 1997 and served until October 1998.

Corps Commander Karachi[]

He was made Corps Commander Karachi in October 1998 by Musharraf. LTG Amjad Shoaib disclosed that upon Musharraf becoming COAS, he posted Usmani to Karachi because he was Urdu speaking and his son was under treatment in the city.[16]

Role in 1999 Coup d'état[]

He was serving as Commander V Corps when PM Nawaz Sharif had refused to let an international commercial flight land with civilians onboard and COAS Musharraf. Musharraf contacted Usmani through Dubai from the cockpit and upon receiving the orders he led a group of SSG Commandos to the airport and played a key role in taking it over and allowed the plane to land ultimately leading to the arrest of Nawaz Sharif and Ziauddin Butt.[17]

Deputy Chief Of Army Staff[]

He was appointed on 1 May 2001 by Musharraf as Deputy COAS and officially took charge on 17 May 2001.[18]

Retirement[]

On 8 October 2001, he retired along with Mahmud Ahmed, after they were both sacked by President Musharraf for not agreeing with his Pro-American policies.

Later life[]

According to sources, Usmani remained inactive after his retirement despite President Musharraf offering him and General Mahmud Ahmed the opportunity to become the heads of any government agency of their choosing.

A friend of Usmani, retired LTG Amjad Shoaib, told journalists that Usmani had been broken because of the illnesses of his children. His son died and his daughter is under medical treatment. He also added that the general was under severe financial stress for the last few years.

Additionally he stated that "Usmani lived a very simple life, was an upright officer but broke due to personal problems. When I used to visit him, I often found him in a mosque."[19]

Death[]

He was found dead in his 1990 Mazda in Khayaban-e-Shajar Park Karachi, Pakistan on 1 October 2020, he was 75 years old. Police on the scene stated that the engine of his car was running with the headlights on and suspected he had a heart attack which proved to be fatal.[20]

Effective dates of promotion[]

Insignia Rank Date
OF-8 PakistanArmyUS-O9 insignia Lieutenant General May 1997
OF-7 Pakistan Army US-O8 insignia Major General
OF-6 Pakistan ArmyUS-O7 insignia Brigadier
OF-5 Pakistan Army Colonel
OF-4 Pakistan Army Lieutenant Colonel
OF-4 Pakistan Army Major
OF-2 Pakistan Army Captain
OF-1(B) Pakistan Army Lieutenant
OF-1(A) Pakistan Army Second Lieutenant May 1966

Awards and decorations[]

Parachutist wing
Hilal-e-Imtiaz
Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam Hijri Tamgha Tamgha-e-Diffa Jamhuriat Tamgha 1988
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal, 2006 Tamgha-e-Baqa (1998) 10 years Service Medal
20 years Service Medal 30 years Service Medal 35 years Service Medal
Parachutist Badge
Hilal-e-Imtiaz

(Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)

Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-

Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam

(100th Birth Anniversary of

Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

1976

Hijri Tamgha

(Hijri Medal)

1979

Tamgha-e-Diffa

(General Service Medal)

Siachen Glacier Clasp

Jamhuriat Tamgha

(Democracy Medal)

1988

Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha

(Resolution Day)

(Golden Jubilee Medal)

1990

Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan

(Independence Day

Golden Jubilee Medal)

1997

Tamgha-e-Baqa

(Nuclear Test Medal)

1998

10 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal 30 Years Service Medal 35 Years Service Medal

References[]

  1. "Old Habits, New Challenges to Pakistani Establishment" (in en). 2 November 2001. https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=80438&page=1. "In one fell swoop, Musharraf ruthlessly sacked Lt. Gen. Mehmood Ahmed, the powerful head of the ISI, and Gen. Muzaffar Hussain Usmani, deputy chief of staff of the Pakistani army. Both Ahmed and Usmani were widely believed to have uncomfortably close ties to the Taliban and unhidden sympathies for the Pashtun tribesmen who dominate the regime." 
  2. "Countdown to Pakistan's Coup: A Duel of Nerves in the Air" (in en). 17 October 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/17/world/countdown-to-pakistan-s-coup-a-duel-of-nerves-in-the-air.html. "In the army's version of events, General Musharraf went to the cockpit and, with the pilot's help, relayed a call for help through Dubai, an emirate in the Persian Gulf, to the army's corps commander in Karachi, Lieut. Gen. Muzaffar Usmani. General Usmani and a commando team raced to the Karachi Airport and seized control of the tower. The plane landed with seven minutes of fuel to spare, Brigadier Qureshi said." 
  3. "A leader that Pakistan needs" (in en). 9 October 2001. https://gulfnews.com/uae/a-leader-that-pakistan-needs-1.426605. "It was Muzzafar Usmani as Commander 5 Corps Karachi, who took over the Airport to allow the PIA aircraft in which the COAS was travelling, and which was dangerously low on fuel, to land." 
  4. http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/17361/1/muhammad%20shakeel%20akhtar%20pakistan%20study%202020%20iub.pdf#page=193
  5. http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/17361/1/muhammad%20shakeel%20akhtar%20pakistan%20study%202020%20iub.pdf#page=194
  6. "Musharraf dismisses two Islamist generals" (in en). 8 October 2001. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/oct/09/pakistan.afghanistan3. "The president demoted the head of Pakistan's powerful ISI military intelligence agency, Lt General Mehmood Ahmed, and also pushed out his deputy chief of army staff, General Muzaffar Hussain Usmani. Both officers were regarded as hardline Islamists." 
  7. "Old Habits, New Challenges to Pakistani Establishment" (in en). 2 November 2001. https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=80438&page=1. "In one fell swoop, Musharraf ruthlessly sacked Lt. Gen. Mehmood Ahmed, the powerful head of the ISI, and Gen. Muzaffar Hussain Usmani, deputy chief of staff of the Pakistani army. Both Ahmed and Usmani were widely believed to have uncomfortably close ties to the Taliban and unhidden sympathies for the Pashtun tribesmen who dominate the regime." 
  8. "Former Karachi corps commander’s body found in city’s DHA area" (in en). 1 October 2020. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2266481/former-karachi-corps-commanders-body-found-in-citys-dha-area. "He was instrumental in overthrowing Nawaz Sharif's government on October 12, 1999, when the then-army chief General Pervez Musharraf's aircraft was not allowed to land in Karachi and was ordered to land in Nawabshah. Lt-Gen(r) Usmani took control of Karachi Airport and allowed the former army chief's aircraft to land." 
  9. "Through hardships to the stars : St. Patrick’s High School turns 150 years old today" (in en). 5 May 2011. https://tribune.com.pk/story/162698/through-hardships-to-the-stars-st-patrick%E2%80%99s-high-school-turns-150-years-old-today. "Lt Gen Muzaffar Hussain Usmani." 
  10. "Remembering two former corps commanders of Karachi" (in en). 7 October 2020. https://www.geo.tv/latest/312059-remembering-two-former-corps-commanders-of-karachi. "I have known Usmani for almost 40 years,” Shoaib told me over the phone. He broke because of the ailment of his children. His son died, while his daughter is still under medical treatment." 
  11. Aniqa Nisar [AniqaNisar]. "1/2... Lt. Gen Usmani (Rtd), Ex Corp Commander 5 Corp died due to cardiac arrest. He was found in his personal vehicle, the engine was still running. His wife died a few months back and he has left one daughter who is mentally challenged.". https://twitter.com/AniqaNisar/status/1311735201106661377.  Missing or empty |date= (help)
  12. "A leader that Pakistan needs" (in en). 9 October 2001. https://gulfnews.com/uae/a-leader-that-pakistan-needs-1.426605. "Usmani has again been his close friend and colleague for many years, first as a student and then fellow instructor in both Command & Staff College, Quetta, and the National Defence College, which was then at Rawalpindi." 
  13. "Usmani named deputy army chief" (in en). 1 May 2001. https://asianstudies.github.io/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/2001/may0501.html#usma. "Lt-Gen Usmani was commissioned in 1966 in an armoured infantry battalion. After four years of regimental duties he was posted to School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta, as instructor. In 1974, he was posted to Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, as Platoon and Company Commander. After promotion to the rank of colonel, he commanded two armoured infantry battalions, including a battalion in Saudi Arabia. As brigadier, he commanded an infantry as well as a mechanized brigade." 
  14. "Usmani named deputy army chief" (in en). 1 May 2001. https://asianstudies.github.io/area-studies/SouthAsia/SAserials/Dawn/2001/may0501.html#usma. "On promotion to the rank of Maj-Gen, he commanded as infantry division." 
  15. "The Conundrum That Cast a Long Shadow: General Zia-ul-Haq’s Appointment as COAS" (in en). criterion-quarterly.com. 30 September 2022. https://criterion-quarterly.com/the-conundrum-that-cast-a-long-shadow-general-zia-ul-haqs-appointment-as-coas/. "However, Zia could not hand down the death penalty to any of the accused, as had been desired by Bhutto particularly in the case of Brigadier F.B Ali, primarily because the junior members of the tribunal, which included future lieutenant generals Jahandad Khan and Muzaffar Hussain Usmani, were opposed to this course of action. Still, he awarded the maximum possible sentences to the accused officers, including lengthy custodial sentences and cancellation of pensions. When asked to explain the harshness of the sentences he is reported to have said to the prime minister in a gushing show of fealty: “Sir, you may have a soft corner for these men, but I must give the maximum punishment to those who were conspiring against my Prime Minister." 
  16. "Remembering two former corps commanders of Karachi" (in en). 7 October 2020. https://www.geo.tv/latest/312059-remembering-two-former-corps-commanders-of-karachi. "Shoaib told me that, during a reshuffle initiated by Gen Musharraf upon becoming army chief, he had sent Usmani to Karachi for two reasons: first, he was Urdu-speaking and second, his son was under treatment in the city." 
  17. "Countdown to Pakistan's Coup: A Duel of Nerves in the Air" (in en). 17 October 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/17/world/countdown-to-pakistan-s-coup-a-duel-of-nerves-in-the-air.html. "In the army's version of events, General Musharraf went to the cockpit and, with the pilot's help, relayed a call for help through Dubai, an emirate in the Persian Gulf, to the army's corps commander in Karachi, Lieut. Gen. Muzaffar Usmani. General Usmani and a commando team raced to the Karachi Airport and seized control of the tower." 
  18. "Pakistan: Lt. Gen. Usmani Appointed Deputy Chief Of Army Staff" (in en). 2 May 2001. https://www.arabnews.com/node/211521. "In a major move, the military government yesterday appointed Lt. Gen. Muzaffar Hussain Usmani, commander 5th Corps, as the deputy chief of army staff. He will assume charge on May 17. Senior officials say Lt. Gen. Usmani will remain a three-star general and he would be the second most important officer in the army once he assumes the new office." 
  19. "Remembering two former corps commanders of Karachi" (in en). 7 October 2020. https://www.geo.tv/latest/312059-remembering-two-former-corps-commanders-of-karachi. "“Usmani lived a very simple life,” Shoaib recalled. “He was an upright officer, but he broke due to personal problems. When I used to visit him, I often found him in a mosque.”" 
  20. "Former Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen (retd) Muzaffar Hussain Usmani passes away" (in en). 1 October 2020. https://www.geo.tv/latest/310964-former-karachi-corps-commander-lt-gen-retd-muzaffar-hussain-usmani-passes-away. "On arrival, the police saw that the car's engine and headlights were switched on and found Lt Gen (retd) Usmani dead inside the vehicle." 
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