Photo Credit (BBC News)

Pervez Musharraf rose to power as the military leader of Pakistan in 1999 and ruled the country for nearly a decade. However, his rule was marked by several key actions that eventually led to his decline and eventual ouster from power.


  1. The Kargil Conflict: In 1999, Pakistan and India engaged in a limited war in the Kargil region of Kashmir. Although the conflict ended with a ceasefire, it damaged Musharraf's image and international reputation as it was seen as a reckless military adventure that brought the two countries close to a full-scale war.
  2. Crackdown on the Media: Musharraf's regime was characterized by censorship and repression of the media, particularly the country's independent television channels. The clampdown on the media was seen as a sign of Musharraf's increasing authoritarianism and erosion of democratic norms.
  3. Suspension of the Chief Justice: In 2007, Musharraf suspended the country's Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, on charges of misconduct. This sparked widespread protests and was seen as an attack on the independence of the judiciary.
  4. The Red Mosque Siege: In 2007, the military launched a siege on the Red Mosque in Islamabad, which had been occupied by Islamist militants. The siege resulted in a bloody showdown that left over 100 people dead and further eroded Musharraf's image.
  5. Increasing Opposition from Political Parties: Over the years, Musharraf faced growing opposition from political parties, particularly from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). This opposition was fueled by concerns about the country's political stability, human rights violations, and the erosion of democratic norms under Musharraf's rule.
  6. The Lawyers' Movement: In 2007, the suspension of the Chief Justice sparked a movement of lawyers and civil society activists who called for the restoration of the judiciary's independence and the protection of democratic rights. The Lawyers' Movement grew into a nationwide movement and became a major challenge to Musharraf's rule.
  7. The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto: In 2007, the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto further weakened Musharraf's position. Bhutto's death was widely seen as a turning point in Pakistani politics and led to widespread protests and calls for Musharraf to step down.
  8. The 2008 Election: In 2008, Musharraf attempted to secure another term in office through a controversial election. The election was widely seen as rigged and sparked widespread protests, further eroding Musharraf's legitimacy.
  9. The Resignation of the President: In August 2008, under growing pressure from the opposition and civil society, Musharraf resigned from the presidency. This marked the end of his rule and the start of a new era in Pakistani politics.

In conclusion, Pervez Musharraf's rise to power was marked by several key actions that eventually led to his decline and ouster from power. These actions included the Kargil conflict, crackdown on the media, suspension of the Chief Justice, the Red Mosque siege, increasing opposition from political parties, the Lawyers' Movement, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the 2008 election, and his eventual resignation as President. These events demonstrate the fragility of military rule and the importance of democratic norms and institutions in maintaining stability and promoting progress in a country.