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Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf dies in Dubai after years in exile

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf died in a hospital in Dubai on Sunday after a long illness after years of living in self-imposed exile.

Pakistan’s military and the country’s mission to the United Arab Emirates announced the death of the former army chief, 79, who was ousted from power in 2008.

“I can confirm that he died this morning,” Shazia Siraj, spokeswoman for the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai and Embassy in Abu Dhabi, told Reuters.

The chiefs of Pakistan’s army, navy and air force expressed their condolences on his death, the military’s public relations department said. President Arif Alvi expressed his condolences in a statement.

A special flight will be operated to Dubai on Monday to bring Musharraf’s body back to Pakistan for burial, local TV station Geo News reported.

The former four-star general, who came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, ensured rapid economic growth and tried to introduce social-liberal values ​​in the conservative Muslim country.

Musharraf enjoyed strong support for many years, his main threat being al-Qaeda and other Islamist militants who tried to kill him on at least three occasions.

But his dogged use of the military to suppress dissent, as well as his continued support of the United States in its fight against al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban, ultimately led to his downfall.

Musharraf, admitted to medical treatment abroad despite facing treason charges in Pakistan, last flew to Dubai in 2016.

© Thomson Reuters 2023.

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CBC Saturday News February 04, 2023

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Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf dies in exile

Important pointsPakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has died in Dubai at the age of 79 after a long illness.In his years in office, Mr Musharraf has overseen a period of economic growth while dodging at least three assassination attempts.Mr Musharraf’s plan to return to power in 2013 was dashed when he was barred from running.Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has died in Dubai at the age of 79 after a long illness, the army said on Sunday.Mr Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and ruled as “Chief Executive” when the 9/11 attacks on the United States took place before becoming President in 2001.He was America’s key regional ally during its invasion of neighboring Afghanistan, but resigned in 2008 and was forced into exile after a backlash for his constitutional transgression.

Senior military leaders “express their heartfelt condolences on the sad death of General Pervez Musharraf,” the military’s media wing said in a brief statement. “May Allah bless the departed soul and give strength to the grieving family.”

The four-star general died in hospital in Dubai on Sunday morning, media reports and a senior security official told AFP.“I can confirm that the late general breathed his last in Dubai this morning… He is no more,” the official, who asked not to be named, told AFP.In more than seven years in office, Mr Musharraf has overseen a period of economic growth while dodging at least three assassination attempts.

Mr Musharraf took office in 2001 and sustained his power in a 2002 referendum contested by opponents. But he refrained from promising to retire as army chief by the end of 2007.

His easy-going charm also failed to blur the division between state and army, and he fell out of favor after trying to dismiss the chief justice.After the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December 2007, sentiment in the country deteriorated further and crushing losses suffered by his allies in the 2008 election left him isolated.Mr Musharraf’s plan to return to power in 2013 was dashed when he was barred from running in an election won by Nawaz Sharif – the man he deposed in 1999.In 2016, a travel ban was lifted and Mr Musharraf flew to Dubai to receive medical treatment.Three years later he was sentenced to death in absentia for treason in connection with his 2007 decision to declare a state of emergency. However, a court later overturned the verdict.

In a statement from his office, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi prayed “for the eternal rest of the deceased soul and the courage for the bereaved to bear this loss”.

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Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph for exclusive stories

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MDMA and psilocybin have recently been approved for medical use

The Therapeutic Goods Administration recently approved MDMA and psilocybin for the treatment of mental illness.

“For the treatment of PTSD in the case of MDMA and for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression in the case of psilocybin, these drugs are classified as Schedule Eight drugs, meaning they are controlled drugs,” said Associate Director of the Neuromedicine Discovery Center, Professor said Chris Langmead.

“They can be used in a clinical context in the same way that, say, ketamine or other opioid analgesics are used in an operating room,” he told Sky News Australia.

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SA suffers from a critical shortage of skilled artisans

A local tech company is drawing attention to South Africa’s critical shortage of skilled tradespeople in hopes of encouraging school-leavers to pursue much-needed tech jobs.

Craftsmen are in great demand at home and abroad, with good career prospects for graduates of vocational training.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande said in November that South Africa needs at least 60% of school leavers to pursue a craft apprenticeship to meet the country’s scarce skill needs.

“We have noticed a worrying drop in applications for advertised craftsman positions, particularly among toolmakers,” says Marinus van Rooyen, Manufacturing and Assembly Manager at Jendamark Automation.

The company builds and exports assembly systems for automotive components to the global market.

“We are concerned about this trend and have realized that this challenge is not unique to Jendamark as our local and national manufacturing suppliers experience the same frustration.”

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Craftsmen thrive in a hands-on learning environment

He says most enrolled saw a college degree as the only qualification to aspire to, although many thrived in a more hands-on, hands-on learning environment.

“South Africa’s manufacturing sector can only grow if we have talented engineers, craftsmen and technicians with the skills to build and repair things,” says Van Rooyen.

He was speaking at the official unveiling of a mural by Gqeberha-based artist Buntu Fihla at the company’s manufacturing and assembly facility. The mural is intended to instill pride in employees and show respect for the craftsman.

“We want visiting school groups, students and staff to understand the value of a craft and that it is a career path to be proud of and with many opportunities. The world is open to skilled craftsmen. There is a global shortage of tech skills and we have found that many South Africans are being lured abroad by international recruiters.”

The National Development Plan has a firm target of training 30,000 craftsmen a year by 2030, but current estimates put the average at closer to 20,000, showing a lack of what are categorized as “priority skills”.

According to Van Rooyen, Jendamark has contributed to skills development over the last ten years by running its own in-house training program for mechanics, electricians and toolmakers.

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98% of apprentices become craftsmen

The four-year programme, overseen by MERSETA and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Training, has so far yielded an overall 98% rate of trainees taking their professional exams.

Funeka Gusha is a trained toolmaker and apprentice godmother and is also a product of the program. She is responsible for guiding Jendamark’s toolmaker apprentices through the work-based learning process.

“Becoming a craftsman gives you many skills and opportunities. They can earn an accredited Red Seal certificate, do better-paying work, and like me, maybe even be encouraged to teach others.”

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she is proud to have chosen a challenging career path and was excited to share her expertise and experience with the young men and women who come through the ranks.

“I like being a mentor. It taught me a lot in terms of personal growth, patience and dealing with different students. Seeing them work hard and determined inspires me. We have a candidate who is preparing for his trade exam and his commitment is amazing.”

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