Pervez Musharraf

Before 9/11, few people knew his name, but after 9/11, the Pakistani leader, General Pervez Musharraf, became a vital player in the American war on terror. He turned his back on the Taliban and sided with the United States. His nation was stunned, as was much of the Muslim world. Who is Musharraf, and how did he get to be the president of one of the most politically important countries in the world today? This episode of Biography examines the political career and rise of the leader of Pakistan.

CURRICULUM LINKS: Pervez Musharraf would be useful for classes on American History, Pakistani History, Geography and Current Events. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

OBJECTIVES: Students will learn the political history of Pakistan and its importance in today’s war on terror. They will explore the rise of Musharraf and his role in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS: Pervez Musharraf fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, issues-analysis and decision making for World History for era 10.

• Articulate
• Blasphemy
• Candor
• Enigma
• Fiasco
• Fundamentalism
• Humiliate
• Secular
• Stamina

1. Pervez Musharraf had close ties with the Taliban. Who are the Taliban? What was their role in the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States?

2. After September 11, 2001, Musharraf sided with the United States instead of the Taliban. Why?

3. Musharraf walks a political tightrope in his role as president of Pakistan. Why does his position require great balance?

4. How did Musharraf become the president of Pakistan?

5. Musharraf’s mother was a strong and independent woman. How did this influence Musharraf?

6. The country of Pakistan is less than sixty years old. How was this country born or created?

7. Bangladesh became an independent country in 1971. It was formerly West Pakistan. How did it become Bangladesh and what did this mean for the Pakistani army?

8. What is a jihad? What is the role of the jihad in Islam?

9. Musharraf has been accused of training the Mujaheddin. What is the Mujaheddin?

10. Pakistan and India have been fighting over the Kashmir region for over half a century. How have nuclear weapons brought this dispute to international prominence and concern?

11. Musharraf came to power in a bloodless coup. What is a coup? Why is it so unusual for it to be bloodless?

12. How has September 11, 2001 changed Musharraf’s presidency and his life?

1. Research the Internet for current maps of Pakistan and the surrounding region. Try to find some maps of the region before 1947. How do the two maps compare? What are the major differences?

2. Create a timeline illustrating the major events of Pervez Musharraf’s life and career as well as major coinciding international events.

Primary Sources

• Follow this link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5081-2004May31.html ) to the "Washington Post" for an article written by Pervez Musharraf, “A Plea for Enlightened Moderation.”