Mohammad Yousaf (general)
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| Mohammad Yousaf | |
|---|---|
| born February 10, 1948 (age 59) | |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
| Service/branch | Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1965–2004 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Armoured Corps |
| Commands held | II Strike Corps (Multan) Chief of General Staff (CGS) Vice Chief of Army Staff |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 |
| Awards | Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) |
General (retd) Mohammad Yousaf (born February 10, 1948) is a former Pakistani general who served as the vice chief of army staff from October 8, 2001 till October 7, 2004. When his 3-year term expired in October 2004, he was replaced by General Ahsan Saleem Hyat.
Contents |
[edit] Military career
General Yousaf is a graduate of Military College Jhelum and was commissioned in the Pakistan Army immediately after the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and joined the Guides Cavalry. He served various command and staff posts including Commanding Officer Guides Cavalry, Commanding Officer of a Tank Battalion in Saudi Arabia, Instructor at Command and Staff College, Chief of Staff of a Strike Corps, Commander of an armoured division, Chief of General Staff, and finally the Vice Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army.
[edit] Military coup of 1999 and Chief of General Staff
During the time of military coup of 1999, the then Lieutenant General Mohammad Yousaf was the Corps Commander Multan. Due of his close proximity to General Musharraf, by September 2000, he was posted as Chief of General Staff (CGS) to replace the then Lieutenant General Aziz Khan who was instead given the command of Lahore Corps. The post of Chief of General Staff is considered vital as the chief overlooks the two intelligence bureaus within Pakistan Army (Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau). In fact, it is believed that a military coup against a government cannot be launched without tacit approval of the Chief of General Staff.
[edit] Vice Chief of Army Staff
In October 2001, General Yousaf was promoted to four-star general and replaced Lieutenant General Muzaffar Usmani as the vice chief of army staff. It is interesting to note that the timing of promotion of General Yousaf and General Muhammad Aziz Khan coincided with the US invasion of Afghanistan, when these generals superseded Lieutenant General Muzaffar Usmani and Lieutenant General Mahmud Ahmad, both of whom were known for their hawkish stances.[1]
[edit] Criticism
[edit] Alleged hawkish stance
General Yousaf has been known for his hawkish comments and anti-Indian outlook. It is rumored that he was the main jingoistic force behind the Pakistan Army during the standoff with India in 2002 that almost brought the two countries to the brink of nuclear war.[2]
[edit] References
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lt. General Muhammad Aziz Khan |
Chief of General Staff 2000–2001 |
Succeeded by Lt. General Shahid Aziz |
| Preceded by Lt. General Muzaffar Usmani |
Vice Chief of Army Staff 2001–2004 |
Succeeded by General Ahsan Saleem Hyat |
