Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Nawaz Sharif’s Coup, Trial, Exile and Return to Pakistan
Nawaz Sharif was Pakistan’s prime minister during the 1999 Kargil War.
He and army chief Pervez Musharraf later disagreed about who knew what during the conflict.
On October 12, 1999, Sharif tried to remove Musharraf from his army post.
The army responded by taking control and placing Sharif under house arrest.
Sharif was then put on trial for several serious crimes.
He received a life sentence and also faced a separate tax-related punishment.
He avoided the death penalty after interventions by Bill Clinton and Saudi King Fahd, according to the article.
Sharif was sent into exile in Saudi Arabia and lived in Jeddah.
He eventually returned to Pakistan and became prime minister for a third time in 2013.
Nawaz Sharif and Pervez Musharraf disputed whether Sharif knew about Pakistan’s actions during the 1999 Kargil War.
On October 12, 1999, Sharif dismissed Musharraf as army chief while Musharraf was returning from Sri Lanka.
Musharraf’s allies mobilized troops, placed Sharif under house arrest and suspended Pakistan’s Constitution.
Sharif faced charges including hijacking, terrorism, attempted murder, kidnapping and corruption, receiving a life sentence and additional punishment for tax evasion.
After interventions involving Bill Clinton and Saudi King Fahd, Sharif avoided execution, went into exile in Jeddah and later returned to become prime minister again in 2013.
- Who
- Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani military, Bill Clinton and Saudi King Fahd were central figures.
- What
- After the Kargil War, a military coup removed Sharif from office; he was tried, sentenced and sent into exile before later returning to Pakistan.
- When
- The coup occurred on October 12, 1999; Sharif returned in 2007 and became prime minister again in 2013.
- Where
- The coup and trial took place in Pakistan; Sharif spent his exile in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Tensions escalated after Sharif dismissed Musharraf as army chief, while the two men also disputed Sharif’s knowledge of the Kargil operations.
Nawaz Sharif’s Account
Pervez Musharraf’s Account
Knowledge of Kargil operations
Nawaz Sharif’s Account
Sharif claimed Musharraf acted without his knowledge when Pakistani troops crossed the Line of Control and captured Indian Army posts.
Pervez Musharraf’s Account
Musharraf claimed Sharif had been kept informed about every activity.
Removal from power
Nawaz Sharif’s Account
Sharif dismissed Musharraf as army chief and attempted to prevent his flight from landing in Karachi.
Pervez Musharraf’s Account
Musharraf’s allies in the army responded by mobilizing troops, taking control and holding Sharif under house arrest.
- Kargil War
- The conflict between India and Pakistan took place in 1999 and ended in July 1999.
- Military coup
- On October 12, 1999, Musharraf’s allies mobilized troops and placed Sharif under house arrest.
- Charges
- Sharif faced charges including kidnapping, attempted murder, hijacking, terrorism and corruption.
- Sentences
- He received a life sentence and, in a tax-evasion case, a $400,000 fine and 14 years in prison.
- Exile terms
- Sharif was reportedly barred from returning to Pakistan for 10 years and from participating in politics for 21 years.
- Exile location
- He lived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he was allowed to operate a steel mill.
- Political return
- Sharif returned to Pakistan in 2007 and was elected prime minister for a third time in 2013.