Daccanomics
Former Pakistani military ruler and retired General, Pervez Musharraf died on Sunday in Dubai after a prolonged fight with the rare illness amyloidosis.
The former leader seized power in a bloodless coup in late 1999 and served as president from 2001 until 2008. Mr. Musharraf was a strong US ally who faced widespread criticism for his close connections with Washington.
He provided critical support to the United States in its war on terror and aided in the campaign against Al Qaeda following the September 11, 2001 attacks. He faced growing resistance at home because of his support of the US.
General Musharraf survived numerous assassination attempts and found himself on the front line of the struggle between militant Islamists and the West.
In 2008 he suffered defeat in the polls and left the country six months later.
Mr. Musharraf returned to Pakistan in 2013 to run for office, he was detained and barred from standing. He was accused with high treason and condemned to death in absentia, only to have the conviction reversed a month later.
He fled Pakistan in 2016 for medical treatment in Dubai, where he has been living in exile ever since.
Shazia Siraj, spokesperson for Pakistan’s consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed the news. “I can confirm that he passed away this morning,” she told Reuters.
Geo News reported that a special flight will be made to Dubai on Monday to bring Musharraf’s body back to Pakistan for burial.
