General Pervez Musharraf was the 10th president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He came to power in 1999 as chief executive and was president from 2001-2008.
Musharraf"s presidency coincided with the U.S. fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Musharraf allied himself with the United States in the "War on Terror," allowing U.S. troops and their allies access to Pakistani military airports and bases, as well as logistical support. In return, the U.S. has been a major donor of economic and military assistance to Pakistan.
A military veteran who fought in the 1965 and 1971 wars against India, Musharraf rose up through the ranks and was named Pakistan"s army chief in October 1998. He attended St. Patrick's School in Karachi, Pakistan, and the Forman Christian College in Lahore. Musharraf is also a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Quetta; the National Defence College, Rawalpindi; and the Royal College of Defence Studies of the United Kingdom.
In October 2010, Musharraf announced the creation of a new political party, the All Pakistan Muslim League. Musharraf also said that he would return to Pakistan before the next general elections in 2013. The former president has said his vision for Pakistan is for it to be transformed into a progressive, moderate and prosperous Islamic state.
- Read the Rice News article about Gen. Musharraf's address.
- View a video excerpt of Gen. Musharraf's July 11, 2011, address on the U.S. reducing aid to Pakistan. Musharraf says such a move would be "disastrous."
- Click below to watch a video of the entire event.
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