New Delhi: Former President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) passed away after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Dubai at the age of 79, his family confirmed on Sunday, reported Pak's media Geo News.


The media agency reported that Musharraf had been undergoing treatment for an ailment at American Hospital Dubai. He was suffering from Amyloidosis.


"I can confirm that he passed away this morning," Shazia Siraj, spokesperson for Pakistan's consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi, told Reuters.


Pakistan President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the chiefs of Pakistan's army, navy and air force each expressed condolences on his death, reported Reuters.


"I offer my condolences to the family of General (rtd) Pervez Musharraf. May the departed soul rest in peace!" PM Shehbaaz said in a tweet.






Fawad Chaudhry, a leader of former Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan's party said, "He (Musharraf) is called a military dictator, but there has never been a stronger democratic system than that under him."


"He gave Pakistan a free media and he stressed on diversity of opinion in Pakistan," Chaudhry, a former close Musharraf aide said in a video message, as quoted by Reuters. "History will always remember him," he said. "Pervez Musharraf, we will miss you."


News agency Reuters reported citing Geo News that a special flight will be made to Dubai on Monday to bring Musharraf's body back to Pakistan for burial.


Pervez Musharraf: Military Dictator Of Pakistan


Pervez Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943 in Delhi, British India. He got the commission from Pakistan Military Academy Kakul on April 19, 1961. He was promoted to the rank of General in 1998 and took over as the Chief of Army Staff in Pakistan (COAS).


The former military dictator ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.


Musharraf Dethroned Ex-Pak PM Nawaz Sharif


In 1998, the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif trusted Pervez Musharraf and made him the chief of the Pakistan Army. However, a year later in 1999, General Musharraf dethroned Nawaz Sharif and became the dictator of Pakistan. 


Nawaz Sharif had to leave Pakistan along with his family as soon as Pervez Musharraf assumed power.


Balochistan Atrocities


While in power, General Musharraf mistreated those demanding independence in Balochistan resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. This is the reason why Baloch women asked the United States to declare General Musharraf a global terrorist.


Charges Of Treason, Mass Murder


General Pervez Musharraf faced many cases on the charges like treason and mass murder in Pakistan. The court also sentenced him to death.


Musharraf was booked for treason in December 2013 for imposing an emergency in the country on November 3, 2007 and suspending the constitution till mid-December 2007.


Musharraf was convicted on March 31, 2014 but fled abroad in the name of medical treatment before his execution. He was living in Dubai since March 2016


Musharraf's Family


Pervez Musharraf's family lived in Delhi and was quite prosperous in India before the partition. His grandfather was a tax collector.


His father was also a senior officer under British rule and his mother studied at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The Musharraf family had a large Kothi in Old Delhi. He lived here for four years after his birth.


Pervez Musharraf's mother Begum Zareen Musharraf visited Lucknow, Delhi and Aligarh Muslim University during her visit to India in 2005. Zareen used to study here in 1940.


Musharraf Gave Rights To Women


Despite his controversial legacy, General Musharraf will be remembered in Pakistan as the leader who gave more rights to women. A large number of women could reach the Houses of Pakistan only during Musharraf's time.


He also changed the Islamic rape law in which proving rape used to be very complicated. For all this, the fundamentalists of Pakistan had turned against him.


General Pervez Musharraf: A Timeline Of His Political Career


1. Pervez Musharraf joined the Pakistan army in 1961 and fought his first war in 1965 against India. He was also awarded the gallantry award for this.


2. He was promoted to the rank of General in October 1998 and became the Chief of Army Staff.


3. In 1999, he seized power by ousting the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup.


4. In 2002, Musharraf won with a majority in the general elections and became the tenth President of Pakistan.


5. The July 2007 military crackdown on the Lal Masjid during his regime killed more than 105 people.


6. On October 6, 2007, he won the presidential election once again.


7. Musharraf imposed an emergency in Pakistan on 3 November 2007.


8. On 24th November, the Election Commission of Pakistan confirmed Musharraf's re-election as President.


9. Then General Pervez Musharraf renounced the military uniform and took over as civilian President of Pakistan


10. On 7the August 2008, the new coalition government of Pakistan decided to impeach Pervez Musharraf.


11. Musharraf announced his resignation from the presidency on 18th August 2008.