United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has extended his condolences to the family of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who died Sunday in a hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at the age of 79 after a long illness.
Guterres has shown his «sadness» after learning of the death of Musharraf, who «led Pakistan at a critical time, during which the country experienced steady economic growth,» said the secretary general’s spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, in a statement.
The retired general’s family announced last June that the Pakistani leader had been admitted to the American Hospital in Dubai for a worsening of his amyloidosis, a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein accumulates in the organs and interferes with the body’s normal functions.
Following the family confirmation, the Pakistan Army conveyed its «heartfelt condolences» for the death, as did Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi, who prayed «for the eternal repose of the soul of the deceased and the courage of the bereaved family to bear this loss».
Musharraf came to power in 1999 following a coup against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Two years later, he would become a key US ally in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks during a tenure largely characterized by his oppressive practices and human rights abuses.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)