Soldier who rose through ranks by commitment and hard work

Islamabad: Born in pre-Partition Delhi on August 11, 1943 in an educated middle-class family, General Pervez Musharraf began his military career by serving with an Artillery Regiment in 1964.

He saw action first in the 1965 India-Pakistan war in the Khem Karan, Lahore, and Sialkot sectors and was awarded the Imtiaz-i-Sanad for gallantry.

Musharraf served for seven years in the elite Special Service Group and participated in the 1971 war as Company Commander in a Commando Battalion.

He commanded two self-propelled Artillery Regiments and as a Brigadier, he had the distinction of commanding an Infantry Brigade as well as Armoured Division Artillery.

Musharraf was promoted to the rank of Major General on January 15, 1991, given the command of an Infantry Division and later of a strike Corps as Lieutenant General on October 21, 1995.

Pervez Musharraf also served on various important staff and instructional appointments during his career, including as Deputy Military Secretary at the Military Secretary's Branch, member of Directing Staff both at the Command and Staff College, Quetta and the National Defence College. He was also Director General Military Operations at the General Headquarters.

Performance report

A graduate of Command and Staff College, Quetta, and the National Defence College, Musharraf also distinguished himself at the Royal College of Defence Studies, in the United Kingdom.

A comment from his performance report was, "a capable, articulate and extremely personable officer, who made a most valuable impact here. His country is fortunate to have the services of a man of his undeniable quality".

Musharraf was promoted to the rank of General on October 7, 1998 and appointed Chief of Army Staff. He was given the additional charge of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee on April 9, 1999 which he relinquished in October 2001.

The president in his memoirs recalls October 12, 1999, the day he took over as the chief executive of the country as the most memorable event in his life.

The president, a commando by training, and reported to often carry a Glock pistol, has survived at least three assassination attempts. With a fresh oath of office as a civilian President Musharraf is entering a new domain of ruling.