Former army chief General Abdul Waheed Kakar dies in Rawalpindi

General (retd) Abdul Waheed Kakar, a former chief of army staff, has died in Rawalpindi, Aaj News reported, drawing condolences from the military's media wing, the president and the deputy prime minister.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and all officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army had expressed grief over the death and paid tribute to his military service, his leadership and what the statement called his valuable services to the army. The army shares the family's sorrow in this hour, the statement said, and offered its heartfelt condolences. Field Marshal Asim Munir and the army prayed that the deceased be granted a high place in paradise and that his family be given the patience to bear the loss.

President Asif Zardari also expressed sorrow over the death, according to Aaj News, praying that the deceased be placed in God's mercy and that the bereaved family be granted patience.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death, UrduPoint reported.

Neither report gave his age, the cause of death or the date on which he died, and no details of the funeral or burial were carried. Aaj News also did not state the years during which he served as army chief, and neither outlet published a detailed account of his career.

The chief of army staff is the senior-most office in the Pakistan Army, and the Inter-Services Public Relations is the military's public relations wing, which issues statements on behalf of the army and its leadership.

Aaj News reported the death under the headline that the former army chief had passed away, and both outlets led their coverage on the tributes rather than on the circumstances of the death. The statements issued by the military and by the two civilian leaders did not differ on any point of fact.

Further details, including when the funeral prayers will be held, were not immediately available.