Pakistan’s former military ruler dies

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.