Pervez Musharraf is a retired four-star general and politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008. He was born on August 11, 1943, in Delhi, India and served in the Pakistan Army for over four decades. In 1999, he took over as the Chief of Army Staff and in a military coup, overthrew the elected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He declared himself as the President of Pakistan and ruled the country with an iron fist. He implemented a number of economic and social reforms during his presidency, but his rule was marked by controversies, including human rights violations, suppression of the media, and the Lal Masjid siege in 2007. In 2008, he resigned from the presidency and went into exile in Dubai. In 2016, he returned to Pakistan to participate in the general elections, but was arrested and charged with treason. He was eventually granted bail, but remains a polarizing figure in Pakistan politics.
Musharraf was a controversial figure, with both supporters and critics. He was praised for his efforts to modernize and reform the country, including his focus on education, women's rights, and the economy. He also faced criticism for his human rights record, particularly his handling of the conflict in the tribal areas of Pakistan and the military operation in Balochistan.
After his return to Pakistan, Musharraf faced several legal cases, including treason and murder charges. He was placed under house arrest several times and faced restrictions on his movements, but was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment in 2016. He currently lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and remains politically active, with plans to contest the upcoming general elections in Pakistan.
