Musharraf took power as a general in 1999 and ruled as the country’s president from 2001 to 2008. He resigned that last year when lawmakers threatened impeachment proceedings.
He was later prosecuted in Pakistan for his role as dictator and eventually fled to Dubai. Musharraf was seen as a secular leader strongly opposed to radical Islamism and jihadism. He also became a US ally in the US fight against terrorists and the Taliban. He has sought a rapprochement with India. Musharraf pursued a liberal cultural policy that made many enemies among ultra-conservative Muslims.