Pervez Musharraf rose to prominence after decades of military service. He served as president of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008.

He is often credited with boosting the country’s economy during his presidency, but his handling of many other issues evoked criticism such as the declaration of emergency rule, suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and the alleged acceptance of U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan.

When exiled politicians Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif returned to the country in 2007, popular opinion turned against Musharraf. He resigned from office in 2008 under threat of impeachment.

Just three years later, a Pakistani court issued a warrant for his arrest, alleging involvement in Bhutto’s assassination, and he left the country. Despite the controversy that continues to surround him, he has promised to return to Pakistan (and politics) in 2012.

These are some of the social media elements featured in this episode of The Stream.