GeneralAsif Nawaz Janjua[a] (3 January 1937 – 8 January 1993) was an officer in the Pakistan Army, serving as its fourth Chief of Army Staff from 16 August 1991 until his untimely death in 1993. His tenure is regarded as contributing to civilian control over the Pakistan Armed Forces. Janjua was one of only four high-ranking officers to have died in active service, alongside Admiral Hasan Hafeez Ahmed (1975), General Zia-ul-Haq (1988), and Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir (2002).
His unexpected death was initially surrounded by uncertainty, with some speculating foul play after high levels of arsenic poisoning were detected in his body. His family requested further investigations, including the exhumation of his body and an autopsy conducted with the assistance of international experts from France, Britain, and the United States. Despite early suspicions, the cause of death was ultimately determined to be a heart attack. In April 1993, Janjua's widow alleged that her husband had been poisoned claiming that the assassins were Director General Intelligence BureauBrigadier Imtiaz, Shahbaz Sharif, and Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan.
He was educated at the St Mary's Cambridge School on Murree Road in Rawalpindi. Two Irish teachers there who taught him the value of life and humanity, Father Francis and May Flanagan, had a significant influence on his upbringing and future career.[5] After his matriculation, he went to join the Pakistan Military Academy in 1954, and was one of very few cadets to be selected to attend the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.: 2 [6] After completing his initial military training, he passed out from the academy in 1957 and was conferred the Sword of Honour by the academy's commandant.: 441 [3]
When General Nawaz took command of his Corps in Karachi it had begun to be embroiled in operations against MQM militants in the city. He would soon come to oversee law and order operations by his Corps in the disturbed city of Karachi. As V Corps was also responsible for security in all of Sindh, it had been embroiled in anti-dacoity and law and order operations in Sindh since the early 1980s. The province had destabilised in the wake of the anti-Zia-ul-HaqMovement for the Restoration of Democracy.
His political views reflected political liberalism and he tried to improve the military-to-military relations with the Indian Army when he successfully took Pakistan out of what he saw as the dead-end policy of Islamism by former conservative President Zia.[11] During Nawaz's tenure, the army took on the surprising role of becoming a protector of a free press and the liberal values of criticism.[11]
Janjua died on 8 January 1993, while he was jogging near his home in Rawalpindi. The death was ruled a heart attack and no autopsy was conducted before the burial, in line with Muslim customs.
His family commissioned a private forensic test on hair from his hairbrush, which was conducted in the United States. The tests revealed 67 micrograms of arsenic in his hair, significantly higher than the normal level of 4 micrograms. According to the lab report, "The arsenic... falls within the range considered toxic," indicating elevated levels of arsenic in the hair. The forensic toxicologist stated that the arsenic level by itself is not enough to determine the cause of death but raises a flag that further analysis is warranted.[18] Initially, the government deployed police at his grave to prevent his body from being exhumed. There were rumors that Janjua's stomach was removed prior to his burial.[19][20] However, it was later reported that Janjua's family members had hired private security guards to protect his grave, fearing his body would be tampered with.[21]
As a result, his body was exhumed, and an autopsy was conducted by French, British, and American doctors. The cause of death was determined to be a heart attack.[22] A Supreme Court investigation also ruled that Janjua died of natural causes, without performing an autopsy.[18]
Janjua was among just four senior officers to have died while in active service, alongside Admiral Hasan Hafeez Ahmed (1975), General Zia-ul-Haq (1988), and Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir (2002).[15][23]
Legacy
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, then described Asif Nawaz as "a true professional soldier," and further stated that "he did what he said he would do – he kept the army out of politics."[15] Unlike many of his predecessors, Asif Nawaz was incorruptible and often talked of how he would relax when he retired, unlike other generals who plunged into politics.[11]
^Ahmad, Rashid (11 January 1993). "Obituary: General Asif Nawaz". The Independent. The Independent, Pakistan Desk. The Independent, Pakistan Desk. Archived from the original on 5 October 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
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