Pakistan’s former military ruler dies
| AFP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s exiled former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who became a key US ally during the “war on terror”, died in a Dubai hospital yesterday aged 79 after a long illness.
Musharraf seized power in a 1999 bloodless coup and was acting simultaneously as Pakistan’s army chief, chief executive, and president when the 9/11 attacks on the US took place.
The general twice suspended the constitution and was accused of rigging a referendum shoring up his power.
Nonetheless he became Washington’s chief regional ally during their invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan.
The decision – made after the US issued a “for us or against us” ultimatum – put him in the cross hairs of Islamist militants.
But it also earned Pakistan a huge influx of foreign aid which bolstered the economy.
“Pakistan’s decision under Musharraf to join the war against terror turned out to be a boon,” analyst Hasan Askari said.
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2023-02-06T08:00:00.0000000Z
2023-02-06T08:00:00.0000000Z
https://thestar.pressreader.com/article/281835762853074
African News Agency