Pervez Musharraf: The One-Man Army

The hot-headed general

Photo edited in Canva by author ProLady

Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's former military ruler, has died at the age of 79.

Pervez Musharraf, the former four-star Pakistani army general (retired) who ruled the South Asian country for nearly a decade after a bloodless coup in 1999, has died. 

Former President General (retired) Pervez Musharraf died at the age of 79 in a Dubai hospital while receiving treatment for an illness at American Hospital Dubai.

Pervez Musharraf was born in Delhi in August 1943 to ancestors who held important government positions during British rule. Musharraf is a retired four-star general from the Pakistan Army who served for 46 years. He was also the 13th Chief of Army Staff and the 10th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Not to mention Pakistan's also tenth president. Musharraf has served as a focal point in Pakistani history in every way. He led the military government until August 2008, after taking over the administration in a military coup in October 1999.

The Hot-Headed General

Musharraf moved to Pakistan with his family to the port city of Karachi following the subcontinent's partition by the British in 1947. Also, he lived in Turkey from 1949 to 1956, where his father was a diplomat.

He joined Pakistan's army at the age of 18 and was commissioned into the artillery regiment in 1964, later becoming a commando. He was decorated for his actions during the war with India, and despite his hyperactive and hot-headed personality, which resulted in multiple disciplinary actions, he was promoted to general in 1991.

After forcing General Jehangir Karamat to resign over a disagreement about security policy, then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif surprised the top brass by appointing Musharraf as chief of army staff in 1998. Sharif expected Musharraf, who was not from Punjab, the traditional recruiting ground for officers, would be an obedient and good army chief.

Sharif fired Musharraf in October 1999, as he was returning from a visit to Sri Lanka. The military leadership defied Sharif's orders and overthrew his government.

Musharraf claimed Sharif refused to let his plane land in Pakistan. The general refused to let the pilot fly to nearby India, and the plane landed in Karachi with only seven minutes of fuel remaining. Musharraf declared himself president and Sharif was sentenced to ten years in prison, which was commuted when he was exiled to Saudi Arabia.

Musharraf excelled at the Royal College of Defense Studies in Britain, where he spent a year studying. His thesis was titled 'Impact of Arms Race in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent.' Musharraf was described as a valuable asset to the RCDS by the teacher who attended to his thesis.

Received Awards

Nishan E Imtiaz 

Imtiazi Sanad 

Tamgha e Basalat

The Al-Saud Order

General Pervaiz Musharraf's Achievements

Musharraf's accomplishments, both in and out of uniform, cannot be dismissed so easily. During his tenure, Pakistan was ranked third in the world in terms of banking profitability. With the establishment of several universities, including nine world-class engineering institutes, the literacy rate increased by 11%. Copper and gold deposits were discovered, and mining megaprojects were pursued.

Gawadar was built as an advanced seaport, and four dams were constructed. The industrial sector increased by 26 percent, while poverty decreased by 10 percent. Pakistan's economy rose to become the third fastest-growing economy at the time. A historic 100% tax collection was observed. All of this took place under Musharraf's watchful eye.

Despite disagreements, most people agree that Musharraf left Pakistan's economy in much better shape than he found it. All of this can be attributed to his structural reforms and strict economic management. The tax base and revenue collection from the government more than doubled.

Among the many services he provided to the country, I and many other citizens believe that leading the army like no other could be his greatest achievement. His international reputation as a general was well-established. His country is fortunate to have the services of a man of this undeniable quality, says his RCDS thesis professor.

Musharraf's funeral will take place in Karachi

According to his family sources, the former president will be buried in a Karachi grave site. The bereaved family formally approached Pakistan's consulate in Dubai, requesting permission to return Musharraf's mortal remains to his homeland.

According to the sources, a special plane will land at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport on Monday morning to bring Musharraf's body back to Pakistan for burial.

General Parvez Musharraf was a patriotic Pakistani who did everything possible to aid Pakistan's economic and military development.

No doubt, Musharraf sahab did his best for Pakistan. Apart from that he did a lot for caste called Urdu Speaking and Karachi citizens, but on the second hand the country requires political stability for more than a decade to get back on track; the nation cannot be built in years; it requires a decade of political stability, which requires economic stability.

Huge tribute to Ex-President and (retired) Army General Parvez Musharraf, your tenure was outstanding, and whether the nation accepts or denies it, it is fact.

Much respect for you!