General (Retd.) Mirza Aslam Beg stands as one of the most influential and intellectually complex military figures in Pakistan’s history. As the Chief of Army Staff from 1988 to 1991, he led the Pakistan Army during a politically sensitive era marked by democratic transition, regional conflicts, and debates over civil–military relations. His life story blends military professionalism, academic excellence, political controversies, and decades of service to the state.Ad
Early Life and Ancestry
Mirza Aslam Beg was born on 2 August 1931 in Muslim Patti, a small village in Azamgarh, India. He came from an Urdu-speaking Mughal Turk family, whose roots traced back to the Mughal era between the 15th and 18th centuries. His father, a respected lawyer practicing near the Allahabad High Court, instilled in him discipline, curiosity, and a love for knowledge.
Raised in an educated environment, the young Aslam Beg was deeply influenced by the political events of British India. The Partition of 1947, followed by rising tensions between communities, became a turning point in his life. In 1949, after an altercation involving a political worker of the Indian National Congress and a Muslim student, the Beg family decided to migrate to Pakistan. This migration became a formative emotional and ideological moment for him.
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Education and Intellectual Formation
Beg began his early schooling in Azamgarh before entering Shibli National College in 1945. There, he studied liberal arts, earning his Bachelor’s degree by 1949. Alongside academics, he had a deep passion for sports, especially field hockey, and represented his college team with distinction.
His intellectual instincts grew stronger during college life. He participated in debates, youth associations, and political discussions that shaped his worldview. His later career — both as a general and a scholar — reflected this foundation of analytical thinking, strategic reasoning, and ideological engagement.
Entry into the Pakistan Army
After migrating to Pakistan, Beg sought to serve the new state. In 1949, he joined the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) as part of the 6th PMA Long Course. He graduated in 1952 with specialization in war studies, receiving a commission in the Baloch Regiment.
From 1952 to 1958, he served as a young officer noted for discipline, sharp tactical sense, and an ability to remain calm under pressure. In 1958, he passed the demanding evaluations for the Special Services Group (SSG), Pakistan’s elite commando force. Two years later, he travelled to the United States for advanced special forces training.
Upon returning to Pakistan, he was promoted to Major, taking on greater command responsibilities.
Role in the 1965 and 1971 Wars
Beg played an important field command role during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. His operational performance earned him respect among senior officers. As a mid-level commander, he demonstrated the ability to make quick tactical decisions — a quality that later defined his leadership style.
During the 1971 war, he again contributed significantly through strategic planning and coordination, though Pakistan ultimately suffered defeat and the secession of East Pakistan. His experience in that war influenced his later writings on military doctrine and national strategy.
After 1971, he was promoted to Brigadier, marking the start of his ascent into senior leadership.
Academic Contributions and NDU Career
In 1965, Beg joined the National Defence University (NDU) for higher studies and completed his Master’s degree in War Studies. His thesis work on military strategy enhanced his reputation as a soldier-scholar.
Between 1975 and 1978, he returned to NDU — this time as a Professor of War Studies. He taught hundreds of young officers, combining academic insight with practical battlefield experience. His emphasis on national security, geopolitics, and military ethics influenced the next generation of military leadership.
His later writings, including the well-known book “Iqtidar ki Majbooriyan”, reflected his intellectual approach to civil–military relations and the limits of power.
Rise to Senior Command
In March 1987, during General Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, Beg was appointed Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). This position placed him at the heart of key strategic decisions and high-level planning.
One year later, on 17 August 1988, President Zia-ul-Haq died in a plane crash. Following constitutional protocol, General Mirza Aslam Beg assumed command as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) — one of the most powerful positions in the country.
Army Chief (1988–1991): Leadership in a Transitional Era
Beg’s tenure came at a crucial moment. Pakistan was transitioning back to democracy, and Benazir Bhutto became Prime Minister in 1988. As COAS, Beg oversaw this delicate political shift and maintained institutional stability.
His tenure was defined by:
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the reorganization of military doctrines
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modernization programs within the army
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strategic partnerships in Afghanistan
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a complicated relationship with the civilian government
He emphasized the concept of “strategic depth” and remained deeply involved in discussions on national security policy.
Controversies: The IDA Funding Allegations
Despite his achievements, General Beg’s name became associated with one of Pakistan’s prominent political scandals — the alleged funding of the Islamic Democracy Alliance (IDA) to manipulate the 1990 elections. Although he consistently denied direct involvement, the controversy shadowed his public image.
Retirement and Later Life
General Mirza Aslam Beg retired on 18 August 1991 but continued contributing to national debate as:
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a columnist for The Nation
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a visiting scholar at NDU
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a commentator on geopolitics and military strategy
His writings reflect a blend of ideological thought, strategic analysis, and critique of global power structures.
Legacy
General Mirza Aslam Beg remains one of Pakistan’s most debated military figures — admired for his scholarship, leadership, and war contributions, yet scrutinized for the political controversies of his era. His life paints the portrait of a soldier shaped equally by the battlefield and the classroom.Ad