Pervez Musharraf dies at 79
Pervez Musharraf was a retired Pakistani military officer and politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008 passed away today in Dubai at the American Hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 79 years old and had been in self-imposed exile in Dubai for several years. There has been no official announcement regarding the repatriation of his body, however, his family had been attempting to bring him back to Pakistan for the past year.
He was born on August 11, 1943, in Delhi, British India (now India) and grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. Musharraf joined the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961 and served as a commissioned officer in the Pakistan Army. He rose through the ranks to become a four-star general and served as Chief of Army Staff from 1998 to 2007.
In 1999, Musharraf took over as the President of Pakistan after a military coup, and he was re-elected in 2002 in a controversial vote. During his presidency, Musharraf implemented several reforms and modernization efforts in Pakistan, including efforts to combat terrorism, improve the economy, and promote women’s rights. He was also known for his efforts to improve relations between Pakistan and India, and his role in the U.S.-led War on Terror following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Musharraf faced criticism and opposition from many quarters during his presidency, including allegations of human rights violations, kargil War, corruption, and a lack of accountability. He resigned from the presidency in 2008 after facing impeachment proceedings and went into self-imposed exile in London.
In 2013, Musharraf returned to Pakistan to run for the presidency in the 2013 elections, but was disqualified from running due to ongoing legal cases against him. He has since faced multiple court cases and legal battles, and is still a controversial figure in Pakistani politics.
Timeline of Pervez Musharraf’s Life and Regime
Controversies Surrounding Pervez Musharraf