Pervez Musharraf

General Pervez Musharraf ({{lang-ur| ????? ????}}; born August 11, 1943, Near Delhi, India) became de facto Head of Government (using the title Chief Executive and assuming extensive powers) of Pakistan on October 12, 1999 following a bloodless coup d'état. He assumed the office of President of Pakistan (becoming Head of State) on June 20, 2001.

Recent developments

Musharraf visited the Philippines in April 2005 to boost trade, commerce and economic ties.

Related Topics:
Philippines - 2005

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In May 2005, he declared that exiled political leaders, including Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, would not be allowed to come back or participate in the general elections scheduled for 2007.

Related Topics:
Benazir Bhutto - Nawaz Sharif - 2007

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He said he would prefer some kind of "international guarantees" for implementation of any pact reached with India on the Kashmir issue, which he wants to be settled in a year's time.

Related Topics:
India - Kashmir

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In July of 2005, he started another wave of crackdown of people perceived to be extremists within the country. He is battling the Hasba Bill (a controversial Islamist law to establish religious courts and police in NWFP a Province of Pakistan).He is also facing huge opposition to register Madrasas(Religious Schools) by his Government. He is trying to establish better ties with Israel, despite harsh criticism from the Pakistani political spectrum.

Related Topics:
2005 - Hasba Bill - Islamist - NWFP - Madrasa - Israel

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Recently The Washington Post has reported that General Musharraf remarked in an interview with one of their correspondents that rape in Pakistan has become a "moneymaking concern". He then went on to exclaim that "a lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped." The comments, though denied by Musharraf, brought world wide condemnation and sparked protests in Pakistan. The Washington Post, in response to Musharraf's denials, made the audio of the interview available on their website.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/audio/2005/09/23/AU2005092301253.html

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