Former president Pervez Musharraf had been undergoing treatment at an American hospital in Dubai
Former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf passed away at the age of 79 in Dubai after a long ailment, Geo News reported on Sunday.
The former dictator died at American Hospital Dubai, where he had been undergoing treatment for his illness, his family confirmed.
Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943, in Delhi, British India. He got his commission from the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul on April 19, 1961. Upon getting his commission, he joined the special services group.
The military ruler also took part in the 1965 and 1971 wars. He was promoted to the rank of general in 1998 and took over as the chief of army staff (COAS).
A year later on October 12, 1999, Gen (retd) Musharraf usurped power in a coup d’etat.
Musharraf remained the longest-serving president of Pakistan as he took after taking over the country’s reins. He was elected as the president through a referendum in 2002 and remained in office till 2008.
During his tenure, the military leader accepted the US proposal for Pakistan to become a frontline ally after the 9/11 incident.
Later in 2004, he was elected as a president in uniform for five years via the 17th Amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan.
Musharraf is also known for anti-constitutional measures to depose the judges of the Supreme Court in November 2007, which marked the beginning of the Lawyers’ Movement — also known as the Movement for the Restoration of Judiciary.
Following a movement led by the political parties of Pakistan, Musharraf resigned as the president on August 18, 2008.
The former military ruler was sentenced to death by a special court on December 17, 2019, under Article 6 of the Constitution. A case of high treason was filed against him during Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) tenure.
Musharraf appeared before the court on March 31, 2016, when he was indicted for the charges.
Later, he flew out of the country due to his illness.
CJCSC, services chiefs express condolences
Reacting to the news, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad, and tri-services chiefs expressed heartfelt condolences on the former army chief’s demise.
“CJCSC and services chiefs express heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of General Pervez Musharraf, former president, CJCSC and chief of army staff. May Allah bless the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family,” the military’s media wing said.