The man behind Kargil: Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, is no more

Key takeaways: 

• According to Pakistani media, the former Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who spent years in self-imposed exile, passed away in a hospital.

Pervez Musharraf, the four-star general who led Pakistan for almost a decade after taking power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has passed away in Dubai.

Pervez Musharraf dies at 79:

Musharraf, 79, passed away in a hospital after a long disease after spending years in self-imposed exile.

The Pakistani military confirmed his demise by expressing “heartfelt consolations on the sad death of General Pervez Musharaf, ex-president, CJCSC and Chief of Army Staff.”

“May Allah bless the left soul and give stability to the grieving family,” it read.

Pervez Musharraf’s illness: 

Musharraf suffered from amyloidosis, a rare condition when an abnormal protein makes up organs and interrupts regular operations. He was admitted to a hospital in the UAE last year.

A particular flight will be made to Dubai on Monday to get Musharraf’s body back to Pakistan for the grave, local TV press Geo News reported.

About Pervez Musharraf: 

Musharraf took power in 1999, ruling as “chief executive” when the 9/11 invasions on the United States took place, before becoming president in 2001.

In almost seven years in office, Musharraf managed a stint of economic development while dodging at least three assassination shots.

He was America’s chief regional backer during its attack on neighbouring Afghanistan. Still, his time in power became infamous for oppression and unchecked human rights abuses, mainly in its latter years. 

In 2007 he broke the constitution, set martial law, removed the chief justice of the supreme court and charged activists and lawyers, provoking mass protests.

After the December 2007 assassination of opposition chief Benazir Bhutto, the national mood soured even more, and devastating losses suffered by his backers in the 2008 elections left him isolated. He retired in 2008 and was forced into exile.

Musharraf’s plan to be back in power in 2013 was dashed when he was disqualified from running in an election prevailed by Nawaz Sharif – the man he ousted in 1999.