Pervez Musharraf Fast Facts | CNN

Pervez Musharraf Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
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Updated 2:48 PM EDT, Thu August 3, 2023
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf addresses an audience during a change-of-command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2007.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf addresses an audience during a change-of-command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2007.
Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
Musharraf, as Pakistan's newly appointed chief of army staff, inspects a military honor guard in Rawalpindi in 1998.
Musharraf, as Pakistan's newly appointed chief of army staff, inspects a military honor guard in Rawalpindi in 1998.
Reuters
Musharraf talks to the media about a situation in Kashmir in June 1999.
Musharraf talks to the media about a situation in Kashmir in June 1999.
Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
Musharraf, in the rear seat, arrives at the government television station in Islamabad, Pakistan, in October 1999 before addressing the nation. A week earlier, he led a coup against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and became head of government.
Musharraf, in the rear seat, arrives at the government television station in Islamabad, Pakistan, in October 1999 before addressing the nation. A week earlier, he led a coup against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and became head of government.
B.K. Bangash/AP
Musharraf and his wife, Sehba, leave the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, after a tour in July 2001.
Musharraf and his wife, Sehba, leave the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, after a tour in July 2001.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
People in Karachi, Pakistan, watch Musharraf address the nation in September 2001. Musharraf said the United States was in the grip of "grief, anger and vengeance" following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
People in Karachi, Pakistan, watch Musharraf address the nation in September 2001. Musharraf said the United States was in the grip of "grief, anger and vengeance" following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Zia Mazhar/AP
US Secretary of State Colin Powell appears at an Islamabad news conference with Musharraf in October 2001.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell appears at an Islamabad news conference with Musharraf in October 2001.
John McConnico/Pool/Reuters
US President George W. Bush speaks to the media with Musharraf after they met at the White House in February 2002.
US President George W. Bush speaks to the media with Musharraf after they met at the White House in February 2002.
Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Musharraf and politician Imran Khan talk at a charity fundraising function in Lahore, Pakistan, in February 2002. Musharraf vowed to crack down on Islamic extremists in Pakistan, but attacks in India and the kidnapping of American journalist Daniel Pearl raised concern about a possible backlash.
Musharraf and politician Imran Khan talk at a charity fundraising function in Lahore, Pakistan, in February 2002. Musharraf vowed to crack down on Islamic extremists in Pakistan, but attacks in India and the kidnapping of American journalist Daniel Pearl raised concern about a possible backlash.
Moshin Raza/Reuters
Workers sprinkle water on lawn in Lahore, near a portrait of Musharraf, in April 2002. A referendum was held that month on whether Musharraf would hold office for another five years. It passed by a wide margin.
Workers sprinkle water on lawn in Lahore, near a portrait of Musharraf, in April 2002. A referendum was held that month on whether Musharraf would hold office for another five years. It passed by a wide margin.
K.M. Chaudary/AP
Pakistani women hold pictures of Musharraf as they stand outside a polling station in Lahore during the 2002 referendum.
Pakistani women hold pictures of Musharraf as they stand outside a polling station in Lahore during the 2002 referendum.
Visual News/Getty Images
Musharraf holds his grandchild Hamza as he is joined by members of his family in Islamabad in January 2003. Musharraf and his wife, Sehba, had two children, Bilal and Ayla. At center is his mother, Zarin.
Musharraf holds his grandchild Hamza as he is joined by members of his family in Islamabad in January 2003. Musharraf and his wife, Sehba, had two children, Bilal and Ayla. At center is his mother, Zarin.
Sebastien Micke/Paris Match/Getty Images
Musharraf meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in February 2003.
Musharraf meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in February 2003.
Alexander Natruskin/Reuters
Pakistani soldiers stand guard in Rawalpindi after there were suicide bomb blasts on Musharraf's motorcade in December 2003. Musharraf escaped unharmed, but more than a dozen people were killed in the attack and more were wounded. There were two assassination attempts against Musharraf that month.
Pakistani soldiers stand guard in Rawalpindi after there were suicide bomb blasts on Musharraf's motorcade in December 2003. Musharraf escaped unharmed, but more than a dozen people were killed in the attack and more were wounded. There were two assassination attempts against Musharraf that month.
Mian Khursheed/Reuters
Musharraf sits next to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while watching a cricket series between India and Pakistan in 2005.
Musharraf sits next to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while watching a cricket series between India and Pakistan in 2005.
Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images
Musharraf addresses the United Nations General Assembly in February 2006.
Musharraf addresses the United Nations General Assembly in February 2006.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Musharraf and Chinese leader Hu Jintao inspect an honor guard in Beijing in February 2006.
Musharraf and Chinese leader Hu Jintao inspect an honor guard in Beijing in February 2006.
Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
Musharraf holds a panda while visiting China in 2006.
Musharraf holds a panda while visiting China in 2006.
VCG/Getty Images
Bush speaks beside Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai after a White House meeting in September 2006.
Bush speaks beside Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai after a White House meeting in September 2006.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Musharraf attends the Pakistan National Day parade in March 2008. In November 2007, he declared a state of emergency, suspended Pakistan's constitution, replaced the chief judge and blacked out independent TV outlets.
Musharraf attends the Pakistan National Day parade in March 2008. In November 2007, he declared a state of emergency, suspended Pakistan's constitution, replaced the chief judge and blacked out independent TV outlets.
Emilio Morenatti/AP
Musharraf administers the oath to newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during a ceremony in Islamabad in March 2008. Under pressure from the West, Musharraf lifted the state of emergency and called elections a month earlier; his party fared badly.
Musharraf administers the oath to newly elected Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during a ceremony in Islamabad in March 2008. Under pressure from the West, Musharraf lifted the state of emergency and called elections a month earlier; his party fared badly.
Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images
People in Lahore watch Musharraf's resignation speech on August 18, 2008. Musharraf announced his resignation in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.
People in Lahore watch Musharraf's resignation speech on August 18, 2008. Musharraf announced his resignation in the face of an impending impeachment motion by the ruling coalition government.
Mohsin Raza/Reuters
Lawyers stand over a Musharraf poster during a rally in Multan, Pakistan, in August 2008. Months later, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that Musharraf violated the constitution by unlawfully declaring emergency rule in November 2007. The court gave him seven days to appear and defend himself. Musharraf refused to answer the charges against him and fled Pakistan for Great Britain.
Lawyers stand over a Musharraf poster during a rally in Multan, Pakistan, in August 2008. Months later, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that Musharraf violated the constitution by unlawfully declaring emergency rule in November 2007. The court gave him seven days to appear and defend himself. Musharraf refused to answer the charges against him and fled Pakistan for Great Britain.
Asim Tanveer/Reuters
Supporters of the All Pakistan Muslim League, a political party founded by Musharraf, watch him give a speech from Dubai in January 2012.
Supporters of the All Pakistan Muslim League, a political party founded by Musharraf, watch him give a speech from Dubai in January 2012.
Akhtar SoomroReuters
Musharraf arrives at an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad in April 2013. A Pakistani court rejected Musharraf's request for a bail extension and ordered his arrest in a case he was facing over the detention of judges in 2007. In August 2013, a Pakistani court <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F08%2F20%2Fworld%2Fasia%2Fpakistan-pervez-musharraf-charges%2F" target="_blank">indicted Musharraf</a> on murder charges in connection with the 2007 assassination of Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He denied any involvement in Bhutto's death.
Musharraf arrives at an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad in April 2013. A Pakistani court rejected Musharraf's request for a bail extension and ordered his arrest in a case he was facing over the detention of judges in 2007. In August 2013, a Pakistani court indicted Musharraf on murder charges in connection with the 2007 assassination of Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He denied any involvement in Bhutto's death.
Anjum Naveed/AP
Musharraf supporters carry placards during a protest in Karachi following a special court's verdict in December 2019. Musharraf, living in self-imposed exile in Dubai, was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2019%2F12%2F17%2Fasia%2Fpervez-musharraf-death-sentence-pakistan-intl-hnk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">sentenced to death</a> in absentia after a three-member special court in Islamabad convicted him of violating the constitution by unlawfully declaring emergency rule while he was in power. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2020%2F01%2F13%2Fmiddleeast%2Fpervez-musharraf-pakistan-death-sentence-overturned-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">This ruling was overturned</a> in 2020.
Musharraf supporters carry placards during a protest in Karachi following a special court's verdict in December 2019. Musharraf, living in self-imposed exile in Dubai, was sentenced to death in absentia after a three-member special court in Islamabad convicted him of violating the constitution by unlawfully declaring emergency rule while he was in power. This ruling was overturned in 2020.
Asif Hassan/AFP/Getty Images
Musharraf makes a video statement from a hospital bed in Dubai in December 2019. Musharraf dismissed his conviction and death sentence, saying the ruling was the result of a "personal vendetta."
Musharraf makes a video statement from a hospital bed in Dubai in December 2019. Musharraf dismissed his conviction and death sentence, saying the ruling was the result of a "personal vendetta."
Aamir Qureshi/AFPGetty Images
In pictures: Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
CNN  — 

Here is a look at the life of Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan.

Personal

Birth date: August 11, 1943

Death date: February 5, 2023

Birth place: New Delhi, India

Birth name: Pervez Musharraf

Father: Syed Musharraf Uddin, career diplomat

Mother: Begum Zarin Musharraf

Marriage: Sehba Musharraf (December 1968-February 5, 2023, his death)

Children: Ayla and Bilal

Education: Pakistan Military Academy, 1961; Military Academy of Kakul, 1964

Religion: Muslim

Timeline

1947 - Musharraf’s family moves to Pakistan when British India is divided into India and Pakistan. The family settles in Karachi.

1949-1956 - Spends his early childhood in Turkey due to his father’s assignment in Ankara.

1964 - Is commissioned second lieutenant in an artillery regiment in the Pakistani Army.

1965 - Is awarded Imtiazi Sanad (medal) for gallantry during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

1971 - Is a company commander in a commando battalion during the India-Pakistan war.

1991 - Is promoted to major general.

October 7, 1998 - Is appointed chief of army staff with the rank of general.

April 9, 1999 - Is appointed chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

October 12, 1999 - Leads a coup against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and becomes head of government. Sharif had previously fired Musharraf after the army’s failed invasion in Kargil, in Indian-held Kashmir.

June 20, 2001 - Appoints himself president of Pakistan while remaining the head of the army.

April 30, 2002 - A referendum is held on whether Musharraf will hold office for another five years; it passes by a wide margin.

August 2002 - Implements 29 amendments to the constitution, granting himself the power to dissolve parliament and remove the prime minister.

December 14 and 25, 2003 - Two assassination attempts on Musharraf’s life fail.

January 1, 2004 - A vote of confidence in parliament allows Musharraf to remain in power until 2007. He gains the votes he needs by promising to step down as head of the army at the end of 2004.

September 25, 2006 - Musharraf autobiography, “In the Line of Fire,” is published.

October 6, 2007 - An unofficial vote count indicates Musharraf has won by a landslide in a presidential election. A number of parliamentarians boycotted the vote in both houses.

November 3, 2007 - President Musharraf declares a state of emergency in Pakistan. He suspends the country’s constitution, postpones January 2008 elections, and imposes restrictions on the media. Government authorities arrest 1,500 people who protest the state of emergency.

November 28, 2007 - Steps down as leader of Pakistan’s army, the day before he is scheduled to be sworn in as president.

November 29, 2007 - Takes the presidential oath of office for the third time.

December 15, 2007 - The state of emergency is lifted.

February 18, 2008 - In parliamentary elections, Musharraf’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, finishes third in voting, behind the PPP, party of the late Benazir Bhutto, and the Pakistan Muslim League-N, party of former Prime Minister Sharif.

August 18, 2008 - Announces his resignation as president of Pakistan.

July 31, 2009 - Pakistan’s Supreme Court rules that Musharraf violated the constitution by unlawfully declaring emergency rule on November 3, 2007. The court gives him seven days to appear and defend himself.

August 6, 2009 - Refuses to answer the charges against him and flees Pakistan for Great Britain.

August 11, 2009 - Pakistani officials announce that Musharraf faces arrest if he returns to Pakistan.

October 1, 2010 - Launches a new political party, the “All Pakistan Muslim League.”

February 12, 2011 - A warrant for Musharraf’s arrest is issued by a Pakistani court, in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto.

May 24, 2011 - In an interview on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, Musharraf condemns the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. He says, “No country has a right to intrude into any other country…Actually, technically, if you see it legally, it’s an act of war.”

March 16, 2013 - Musharraf announces his plans to return to Pakistan to lead his party in the upcoming elections.

March 23, 2013 - The Pakistani Taliban says that it will assassinate Musharraf if he returns to the country.

March 24, 2013 - Musharraf returns to Pakistan after four years in exile. He is granted bail in advance of his arrival in Pakistan, so he is not arrested upon return.

April 18, 2013 - A Pakistani court rejects Musharraf’s request for a bail extension and orders his arrest in a case he is facing over the detention of judges in 2007. Pakistani media reports that Musharraf has been placed under house arrest.

August 20, 2013 - A Pakistani court indicts Musharraf, charging him with murder in the death of Bhutto.

March 31, 2014 - A special court in Pakistan charges Musharraf with high treason.

April 3, 2014 - A bomb detonates a few minutes after Musharraf’s convoy passes through an intersection in Islamabad as he is being transported home from a military hospital. Pakistani police say it is an assassination attempt against Musharraf. No one is injured.

January 18, 2016 - Musharraf and two other former officials are acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, a Baloch nationalist leader.

February 11, 2016 - After experiencing breathlessness, Musharraf is rushed to Pakistan Navy Ship Shifa Hospital to undergo testing. He receives treatment for complications related to a heart condition, according to his spokeswoman.

March 16, 2016 - Pakistan’s Supreme Court lifts a travel ban on Musharraf allowing him to leave the country while he awaits trial for treason. Two days later Musharraf leaves Pakistan in order to seek medical treatment in Dubai.

August 31, 2017 - A court in Pakistan names Musharraf a fugitive from justice in the assassination of Bhutto. Musharraf has been living in self-imposed exile in Dubai since 2016.

December 17, 2019 - Musharraf is sentenced to death in absentia after a three-member special court in Islamabad convicts him of violating the constitution by unlawfully declaring emergency rule while he was in power.

January 13, 2020 - Pakistan’s Lahore High Court overturns Musharraf’s death sentence. Musharraf, who has been living in self imposed exile in Dubai since 2016, can freely return to Pakistan.

February 5, 2023 - Passes away in Dubai after a prolonged illness, at the age of 79.