Pakistan's last military ruler Pervez Musharraf died at the age of 79 following a prolonged illness at a hospital in Dubai on Sunday.

His death in self-imposed exile was confirmed by Pakistan's military and the country's mission in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"I can confirm that he passed away this morning," Shazia Siraj, spokesperson for Pakistan's consulate in Dubai and embassy in Abu Dhabi, told Reuters.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Arif Alvi and the chiefs of Pakistan's army, navy and air force each expressed condolences on his death.

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

The former four-star general, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, oversaw a stint of rapid economic growth and attempted to usher in socially liberal values in a conservative country.

Musharraf enjoyed strong support for many years while escaping at least three assassination attempts by his greatest threat al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.

But his heavy-handed use of the military to quell dissent, as well as his continued backing of the United States in its fight against al-Qaida and the Afghan Taliban ultimately led to his downfall.

"He is called a military dictator, but there has never been a stronger democratic system than that under him," claimed former close Musharraf aide Fawad Chaudhry, a leader of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party.

"He gave Pakistan a free media and he stressed on diversity of opinion in Pakistan," Chaudhry said in a video message.

History will always remember him," he said. "Pervez Musharraf, we will miss you."

Musharraf joined what Washington called its "war on terror" after Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Pakistan provided U.S. forces ground and air access to landlocked Afghanistan to chase down the al-Qaida terrorists identified as being behind the plot.

The support was contrary to Pakistan's longstanding policy of support for the Taliban, who then as now control neighboring Afghanistan.

This made Musharraf a target for militants in Pakistan, as well as caused him to lose support among the conservative base in Pakistan.

Allowed abroad for medical treatment even as he faced a treason case in Pakistan, Musharraf last flew to Dubai in 2016.