Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf passes away in Dubai at 79

Pakistan's former president and army chief General Pervez Musharraf passed away in a hospital in Dubai after a prolonged illness on Sunday, Pakistan's military confirmed.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan army, confirmed his death and said that the military leadership of the Pakistan army "expresses heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of General Pervez Musharraf."

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also offered his condolences to Musharraf's family on social media.

Musharraf, born on August 11, 1943, got his commission from the Pakistan Military Academy on April 19, 1961, and joined the Pakistan army in 1964.

He was appointed as the army chief in 1998 before he took over the power from the civilian government on October 12, 1999. He was elected president through a referendum in 2002 and ruled the country till 2008.

According to local media reports, his body will be brought back to Pakistan for the funeral and burial.

（Xinhua News Agency）