Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan and retired army general, has passed away at the age of 79. He was being treated for a lengthy period of sickness in the emirate of Dubai, UAE. Musharraf’s death was announced by the military and the Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi. [1]
Shazia Siraj – Press Counsellor at the Pakistani consulate in Dubai – told Reuters,
“I can confirm that he passed away this morning.” [2]
Amyloidosis
It is understood that the former army general had been in poor health for a number of years due to a rare disease – amyloidosis. [1]
The broad group of diseases often sees patients experience a build-up in tissue; some of the symptoms range from fatigue and weight loss, to palpitations and a shortness of breath. [3]
Controversial legacy
Once viewed as a social and economic liberal who drove the world’s second-largest Muslim population to a roughly 50 per cent increase in gross domestic product (GDP) while in power between 2001 and 2008, Musharraf was also simultaneously accused of human rights abuses, and blamed for rising inequality. [4] [5]
Following the launch of the so-called “War on Terror” in September 2001, Musharraf quickly became involved in providing logistical support to the Americans and their allies. [6]
On the news of his passing earlier today, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (PTT) described the late president as,
“…the infamous army chief who sold off the country’s honour and respect.” [2]
High treason
In the early days of the “War on Terror”, one of the countless innocent people who got caught up in the illegal process of extraordinary rendition and torture was British-Pakistani, Moazzam Begg.
Following Musharraf’s 2019 death sentence on charges of high treason, the former prisoner of the US military described how the Pakistani authorities were directly involved in seizing hundreds of future Guantanamo Bay detainees. [7]
Begg stated following the verdict – as delivered in absentia – on 17 December 2019,
“Around half of the 779 prisoners who were sent to Guantanamo were detained by Pakistan and were handed over to the US without any legal process.
“The procedure known as ‘extraordinary rendition’ was a euphemism for abduction, false imprisonment, and torture, and Musharraf was happy to get paid for it.
“What he didn’t realise, however, was that he’d sealed a terrible fate for his country.” [7]
Begg, who is now the Outreach Director at justice advocacy group CAGE, also added at the time,
“Pakistan allowed America the use of its airspace and soil to launch cruise missile and aerial strikes into Afghanistan, killing thousands. It has led to the longest war in US history.” [7]
Condolences paid by state organs
The present-day government of Pakistan – ceremonially led by President Arif Alvi and operationally led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif – has expressed its condolences, in addition to the army, navy, and air force. [1]
The Pakistani television channel Geo News has reported that a special plane will be chartered to carry Musharraf’s body back to the country for burial. [8]
He is survived by his wife, two children, and two grandchildren.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/05/former-pakistan-president-pervez-musharraf-dies-in-dubai-after-long-illness
[2] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pakistan-former-president-pervez-musharraf-dies-dubai-pakistani-media-2023-02-05/
[3] Gertz MA, Dispenzieri A (July 2020). “Systemic Amyloidosis Recognition, Prognosis, and Therapy: A Systematic Review”. JAMA. 324 (1): 79–89. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.5493
[4] https://www.dawn.com/news/939190/labour-leaders-urge-musharraf-to-quit
[5] blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/20584/the-myth-of-musharrafs-economic-boom-needs-to-die/
[6] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7567592.stm
[7] https://www.islam21c.com/politics/the-man-who-sold-me-to-the-americans-gets-a-death-penalty/
[8] https://www.geo.tv/latest/469160-gen-retd-pervez-musharraf-passes-away-at-79-sources