Pervez Musharraf: Life And Times Of Pakistan’s Former PM

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf died at a hospital in Dubai after a prolonged illness.

A four-star general, he ruled Pakistan for nearly a decade after seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999.

The former general was reportedly suffering from amyloidosis – a rare disease that causes organ damage.

He had long been bedridden and wheelchair-bound and he has now died at 79.

His rise to power

Musharraf deposed and arrested Nawaz Sharif in a coup on October 12, 1999, and became chief executive, after Sharif refused to allow a commercial plane carrying the four-star general to land in Karachi.

Pervez Musharraf

Tensions between the two men had been high for months, most importantly over the conflict in Kargil against India.

After becoming president in 2001 following a referendum marred by accusations of widespread rigging, pro-Musharraf parties in 2002 secured the most seats in the general elections.

Walking to downfall

In 2007, Musharraf faced different backlashes that led to protests after he fired former Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and how he imposed a state of emergency and suspended the constitution, reigniting protests.

Musharraf then resigned as army chief later in November 2007.

After his presidency stint

After stepping down, Musharraf lived between London and Dubai for several years, while giving lectures and keynote speeches.

In 2013, his former rival Sharif became prime minister for the third time.

Sharif then began a criminal proceedings against Musharraf, levelling treason charges against him for imposing emergency rule in 2007.

Pervez Musharraf

The trial, which began in 2014, was unable to proceed amid his health issues and other legal hiccups. He moved to Dubai in 2016.

Musharraf chose to live in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates after he was charged with treason in 2014.

In 2019, a court sentenced him to death in absentia for the 2007 imposition of emergency rule but the verdict was later overturned.

After the announcement of his death, a statement released by the Pakistan military’s media wing said: “Military personnels expressed their heartfelt condolences on the demise of the former military ruler.

"May Allah bless the departed soul and give strength to [his] bereaved family.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also offered his condolences to Musharraf’s family.

"May the departed soul rest in peace", he stated.