DUBAI: Former Army Chief and President (retired) General Pervez Musharraf passed away at private hospital in Dubai while quoting diplomatic sources. He was 79. Former general had been admitted to American Hospital Dubai. Musharraf was admitted to Dubai hospitals more than once in past. He had been facing prolonged battle with rare disease amyloidosis. Ruler was hospitalised for three weeks in June last year. “Going through difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning.

Family issued statement after news of his demise started circulating on social media after some Pakistani and Indian publications carried it. On Sunday, Musharraf’s family has filed an application in Pakistani Consulate in Dubai to shift former military leader’s body to Pakistan. A special jet will fly to Dubai from Nur Khan Airbase to bring Musharraf’s mortal remains back to Pakistan. Politicians and others have expressed their profound grief over demise of Gen Musharraf. PTI leader Ch Fawad Hussian in tweet uttered positive words about departed soul, saying Pervez Musharraf himself was great man, but his friends turned to be cheap.  Reacting to news, Inter-Services Public Relations said that Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad and tri-services chiefs expressed heartfelt condolences on former Army Chief’s demise.

“CJCSC and services chiefs express heartfelt condolences on sad demise of General Pervez Musharraf, former President, CJCSC and Chief of Army Staff. May Allah bless departed soul and give strength to bereaved family,” military’s media wing said. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif condoled demise of former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf. Nawaz Sharif took to Twitter to express his condolences on death of Pervez Musharraf.

Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi expressed his condolences on Musharraf’s death. He also prayed for high ranks of departed soul and for bereaved family to bear loss with fortitude. PML-Q leaders Ch Parvez Elahi and Ch Moonis Elahi expressed their deep sense of shock over demise, saying services of Gen Musharraf for Army and Pakistan would always be remembered. In series of tweets, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani expressed deep sorrow over former President’s death and extended condolences to grieving family. “May God grant deceased high rank and give patience to family,” he added. Pervez Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943 in New Delhi, India.

He who took power in coup in 1999 and served as President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008. Musharraf moved with his family from New Delhi to Karachi in 1947, when Pakistan was carved out as an independent country. Son of career diplomat, he lived in Turkey during 1949-56.

He joined Army in 1964, graduated from Army Command and Staff College in Quetta and attended Royal College of Defence Studies in London. He held number of appointments in artillery, infantry and commando units and also taught at Staff College in Quetta and in War Wing of National Defence College.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 06 2023

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