THE former president of Pakistan has died aged 70 after a long illness following years in self-imposed exile.
General Pervez Musharraf seized power in a 1999 coup, but after being pushed out of office in 2008, he lived the last of his days in Dubai.
A popular leader for many years, Musharraf helped usher in a new dawn of economic expansion, strategic ties with America and encourage more socially liberal values to a conservative Muslim country.
His enjoyed cigars and imported whisky and called for Muslims to adopt a lifestyle of "enlightened moderation".
He faced constant threats from al Qaeda and other militant Islamists, who attempted to assassinate the leader at least three times.
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But his heavy-handed use of the military to quell dissent as well as his continued backing of the United States in its fight against al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban ultimately led to his downfall.
Born in New Delhi in 1943, Musharraf was four years old when his parents joined the mass exodus by Muslims to the newly created state of Pakistan.
His father served in the foreign ministry, while his mother was a teacher.
He joined the army at the age of 18, and rose quickly through the ranks to lead an elite commando unit before rising to become its chief.
In a bloodless 1999 coup, he took power by ousting the then prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who had tried to sack him for a military strategy that almost brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war.
In his early years in government, Musharraf was recognised internationally for his reformist efforts, pushing through legislation to protect the rights of women and encouraging free press for the first time.
He became one of Washington's most important allies after the 9/11 attacks, allowing U.S. forces to operate armed drones from secret bases on Pakistani soil that killed thousands, whilst using his own troops for the first time in lawless tribal areas.
That helped legitimise his rule overseas but also helped plunge Pakistan into a bloody war against local extremist militant groups.
However, his relationship with Washington was not straightforward. The Pakistan military cut deals with the Taliban and al Qaeda, and bolstered an insurgency fighting U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Under Musharraf, foreign investment flourished and Pakistan saw annual economic growth of as much as 7.5% - which remains the highest level in nearly three decades, according to World Bank data.
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In other areas of foreign policy, Musharraf attempted to normalise relations between Pakistan and India and reach peace with his large neighbour.
Analysts say the issue of Kashmir which remains the most potent point of contention between India and Pakistan was close to being solved during the Musharraf era. But the peace process was derailed soon after his rule.
However, in his latest years if presidency, his rule became increasingly authoritarian as he brutally attempted to quell dissent.
This would lay the foundations of an armed insurgency that rages to this day and inflicts terror by suicide bombings and brazen assaults.
Later in 2007, a suicide attack that assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, triggered waves of violence. His efforts to strong arm the judiciary also led to protests and a besieged Musharraf postponed elections and declared a state of emergency.
In 2008, the country's first democratic elections in 11 years were held. Musharraf's party lost and facing impeachment by parliament he resigned and fled to London.
He returned to Pakistan in 2013 to run for a seat in parliament but was immediately disqualified. He was allowed to leave for Dubai in 2016.
In 2019, a court sentenced Musharraf to death in absentia for the 2007 imposition of emergency rule but the verdict was later overturned.
He remained in Dubai until his death.
