Islamabad | Pakistan’s former President and military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf passed away on Sunday. Local media gave this information. According to information provided by the family, the 79-year-old former president and army chief Musharraf was suffering from amyloidosis.
Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein called amyloid builds up in the body. In this, the body parts stop working.
Musharraf assumed the position of chief executive after the imposition of martial law in the country in 1999 and served as the President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008, The Express Tribune reported.
The former President’s family had moved from New Delhi to Karachi in 1947. He joined the Pakistan Army in 1964. He was a graduate of the Army Staff and Command College, Quetta.
Geo News reported that the military ruler had also participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars.
He was promoted to the rank of General in 1998 and took over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). A year later, on October 12, 1999, General (retd) Musharraf seized power in a coup d’état.
After assuming the reins of the country, Musharraf remained the longest serving President of Pakistan.
Geo News reported that he was elected as the President through a referendum in 2002 and remained in office till 2008.
During his tenure, Musharraf accepted the US offer to make Pakistan a border ally after the 9/11 incident.
Later in 2004, he was elected as the President for five years through the 17th amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
Geo News reported that in 2007, Musharraf adopted unconstitutional methods to remove Supreme Court judges, after which the lawyers started agitation. This movement is known for the restoration of judiciary.
Following a movement led by political parties, Musharraf resigned from the presidency on 18 August 2008.
The former military ruler was sentenced to death by a special court on December 17, 2019, under Article 6 of the Constitution. In fact, a case of high treason was registered against him during the tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Later, he went out of the country due to his illness, Geo News reported.
Reacting to the news, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad, and the three service chiefs condoled the demise of the former army chief.
