Nawaz Sharif intended to remove General Musharraf and appointed General Zia-u-ddin as Chief of Army. General Musharraf was on his way to Pakistan from his official tour of Srilanka In October 1999.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the plane carrying General Musharraf not to land in Karachi which caused quite a stir in the Army. The Army decided to secure General Musharraf and refused to follow the orders of the Prime Minister.
The Army took control over the country and the government of Nawaz Sharif was dismissed. The Military placed Nawaz Sharif on trial for murder, hijacking, corruption, and terrorism. At trial, military courts convicted him and gave him a life sentence.
Pakistan was enjoying warm relations with Saudi Arabia and America. Shah Fahd was so much concerned about the coup and life sentences, declared by military courts. Due to the pressure from Shah Fahd and President Bill Clinton, the death sentence was avoided. An agreement was signed with Saudi Arabia regarding Nawaz Sharif and according to the agreement he was placed in exile for ten years and would not take part in the politics of Pakistan for twenty years.
