ISLAMABAD Reuters - Pakistani former president Pervez Musharraf died on Sunday after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Dubai after years in self-imposed exile.
The former army chief, 79, who was pushed from power in 2008, was announced by Pakistan's military and country's mission in the United Arab Emirates.
I can confirm that he passed away today, said Shazia Siraj, spokesman for Pakistan's consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The chiefs of Pakistan's army, navy and air force expressed condolences on his death, the public relations wing of the military said.
The former four-star general, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1999, oversaw rapid economic growth and tried to usher in socially liberal values in the conservative Muslim country.
Musharraf enjoyed strong support for many years, his greatest threat was al Qaeda and other militant Islamists who tried to kill him at least three times.
His heavy-handed use of the military to quell dissent and his continued backing of the United States in its fight against al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban ultimately led to his downfall.
Musharraf last flew to Dubai in 2016 after being allowed abroad for medical treatment even as he faced a treason case in Pakistan.