"A great man dies": Pakistanis praise former president Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf, the four-star general who ruled Pakistan for nearly a decade after seizing power in a bloodless coup in 1999, died in hospital after a long illness after spending years in self-imposed exile, Pakistan media reported on Sunday.

Musharraf, 79, enjoyed strong support for many years— his greatest threat was al-Qaeda and other militant Islamists, who tried to kill him at least three times.

However, 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.

But people interviewed by Reuters in Karachi and Islamabad on Sunday had positive views of the former ruler.

"During his tenure, Pakistan was economically quite strong. The poor people were employed, and essential items were cheap and affordable. Overall, Pakistan was quite stable economically and otherwise," said one man in Islamabad.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/9462103/pervez-musharraf-death-pakistan-u-s-9-11/

Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews #Pakistan #Musharraf