General Prevez Musharraf’s journey from a successful military-man to the president of Pakistan has been a roller coaster ride. Here is a view at his career graph from a shrewd military personnel to a statesman:
1961: Musharraf joined the Pakistan Military Academy
1964: He was commissioned in an elite Artillery Regiment.
1965: He saw action in war as a young officer in the Khem Karan, Lahore and Sialkot Sectors with a self propelled Artillery Regiment. After the war he was awarded Imtiazi Sanad for gallantry. He later volunteered and served for seven years in the Special Service Group "Commandos".
1971: He participated in the war against India as Company Commander in a Commando Battalion. He has the privilege of commanding two self-propelled Artillery Regiments. As a Brigadier, he had the distinction of commanding an Infantry Brigade as well as Armored Division Artillery.
15th January 1991: Pervez Musharraf was promoted to the rank of Major General and was given the command of an Infantry Division.
21st October 1995: Major General Musharraf was also given the responsibility of a prestigious strike Corps as Lieutenant General
(A brief of Military career) General Musharraf has served on various important staff and instructional appointments during his career. These include Deputy Military Secretary at the Military Secretary’s Branch, member of Directing Staff both at the Command and Staff College, Quetta and the National Defense College. He has also remained the Director General Military Operations at the General Headquarters.
7th October 1998: General Pervez Musharraf was promoted to the rank of General and appointed Chief of Army Staff.
9th April 1999 : He was given the additional charge of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Since 12th Oct 1999: The General is performing duties as the Chief Executive of Pakistan He also continues to hold the office of Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
October 12, 1999: General Pervez Musharraf staged the bloodless coup by dismissing then PM Nawaz Sharif's orders of sacking him. He assumed the power as the Chief Executive.
20th June 2001: Musharraf formally appointed himself as the President of Pakistan
1st January 2004: Musharraf won the vote of confidence. He claimed 658 votes out of 1170 in the electoral college of Pakistan Therefore, retained the power of president until October 2007
27 November, 2007: Musharraf steps down as Chief of Army staff, handing over the mantle to General Ashfaq Kiyani.
First Published: Saturday, November 03, 2007, 00:00