Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf addresses an audience during a change-of-command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2007.
In pictures: Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf addresses an audience during a change-of-command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in 2007.
Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images

Published 6:15 PM EST, Sun February 5, 2023

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf died Sunday, February 5, after a prolonged illness, according to a statement from the Pakistani military. He was 79 years old.

The former leader had been living in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates since 2016. He seized power from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a military coup in 1999 and appointed himself president in 2001. He continued to lead Pakistan as president until 2008.

Musharraf became a key ally of the United States following the 9/11 terror attacks, and he tried to become an indispensable figure in combating Islamic extremism. But his time in power was marred with controversy, and he was accused of widespread human rights abuses and oppression.

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="https://www.cnn.com/2013/08/20/world/asia/pakistan-pervez-musharraf-charges/" 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="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/17/asia/pervez-musharraf-death-sentence-pakistan-intl-hnk/index.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="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/middleeast/pervez-musharraf-pakistan-death-sentence-overturned-intl/index.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