Dubai – The former President of Pakistan, General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, passed away at the American Hospital Dubai on Sunday, at the age of 79. Confirmation of his death came from his family.
Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943 in Delhi, India and was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan military in 1961. Throughout his career, he served in various capacities and was promoted to the rank of General in 1998. He took over as the Chief of Army Staff and in 1999, staged a military coup, becoming the longest serving President of Pakistan.
Musharraf was elected as President in 2002 through a referendum, and in 2004, he was elected for a five-year term via a constitutional amendment. During his tenure, he accepted the US proposal for Pakistan to become a frontline ally after 9/11 and is also known for his controversial anti-constitutional measures to remove judges from the Supreme Court.
Despite this, Musharraf is credited with modernizing Pakistan’s economy and promoting education and women’s rights.
In 2008, following a political movement, Musharraf resigned from the presidency and went into self-exile. His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Pakistan’s history.
