 In October, 1999 senior officers loyal to army chief Gen. Pervez Musharraf arrested prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his ministers after thwarting the Sharif regime's attempt to dismiss Musharraf and prevent his plane from landing in Pakistan as he returned from a visit to Sri Lanka.The death of Zia-ul-Haq led to the appointment of Ghulam Ishaq Khan as President.Khan had vast, unchecked Presidential powers and was known to be close to the Pakistani military.