A Life In Power: The Biography Of Pervez Musharraf
Posted On February 7th, 2023 By Celebrity Biographies
Introduction
Pervez Musharraf was a Pakistani military general and politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008. In 1999, a military coup gave him control, and he reigned as a military dictator for several years.
Early Life & Military Career of Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943, in Delhi, India. He graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy in 1964 and was commissioned as an officer in the Pakistan Army. He went on to serve in various military operations, including the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and the conflict in Kashmir. He eventually rose to the rank of general and was appointed as the Chief of Army Staff in 1998.
Pervez Musharraf Coup d’état & Rule as Military Dictator
In 1999, Musharraf overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a military coup. He declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution, and imposed martial law. He served as the Chief Executive of the country until 2001 when he was elected as the tenth President of Pakistan in a controversial referendum. During his rule, Musharraf faced criticism for his authoritarian style of governance and human rights violations, including the restriction of press freedom and the use of military tribunals to try civilians.
War on Terrorism & International Relations
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, Musharraf became a key ally of the United States in its war on terrorism. He supported the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and provided assistance to US forces in their efforts to capture Al-Qaeda leaders. He also faced opposition from Islamist militants in Pakistan, who were opposed to his support for the US-led war. Despite this, Musharraf managed to maintain good relations with the international community and was widely regarded as a key player in the region.
Return to Democracy
In 2007, Musharraf faced increasing opposition from political parties and civil society groups, who called for the restoration of democracy. He was re-elected as President in a controversial election but faced widespread protests and a growing movement for his removal from office. In 2008, he was impeached by the Parliament and was forced to resign as President.
Post Presidency
After leaving office, Musharraf went into self-imposed exile and lived in Dubai for several years. In 2013, he returned to Pakistan and attempted to run for office in the general election. However, he was disqualified from running and faced several legal challenges, including charges of treason. He eventually left the country again in 2016 and was living in self-exile since.
Death of Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf passed away on February 5, 2023. He was 79 years old. He died of a disease called amyloidosis but he had been admitted to a hospital in Dubai, a year prior to his death. His body was brought back to Pakistan on 6th February and was buried a day later under state protocol with full military honors at Army Graveyard near Chanesar Goth, Pakistan.
Members of the Parliament of Pakistan refused the offer of prayers for his death and instead termed him a traitor to the nation.
Conclusion
Pervez Musharraf remains a controversial figure in Pakistani history, with his legacy being both praised and criticized by different segments of society. Despite his authoritarian rule and human rights violations, he is credited with restoring stability to the country and leading Pakistan through a challenging period in its history.
Reference: Wikipedia
