Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf dies in Dubai after long illness

Pervez Musharraf, the four-star general who ruled Pakistan for nearly a decade after seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has died in Dubai.

Musharraf, 79, died in hospital after a long illness after spending years in self-imposed exile.

The Pakistani military confirmed his death in a statement, expressing “heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of General Pervez Musharaf, former president, CJCSC and Chief of Army Staff.”

“May Allah bless the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family,” it read.

Pakistan’s president Arif Alvi prayed “for eternal rest of the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss”, his office said in a statement.

Musharraf was suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with normal functions. He was admitted to hospital in the UAE last year.

A special flight will be made to Dubai on Monday to bring Musharraf’s body back to Pakistan for burial, local TV channel Geo News reported.

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

In more than seven years in office, Musharraf oversaw a stint of economic growth while dodging at least three assassination attempts.

He was America’s chief regional ally during its invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan, but his time in power became notorious for oppression and rampant human rights abuses, especially in its latter years. In 2007 he suspended the constitution, imposed martial law, sacked the chief justice of the supreme court and arrested activists and lawyers, prompting mass protests.

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

Musharraf’s plan to return to power in 2013 was dashed when he was disqualified from running in an election won by Nawaz Sharif – the man he deposed in 1999.

In 2016 a travel ban was lifted and Musharraf flew to Dubai to seek medical treatment.

Three years later, he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason, related to his 2007 decision to impose emergency rule. However, a court later nullified the ruling.

Local media reported last year that he had expressed a desire to return to Pakistan and spend the “rest of his life” in his home country.