Begum Zareen Musharraf, the mother of former President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf passed away in Dubai Friday, after a protracted illness.

She was over 100 years old and was critically ill since 2013.Condolences poured in from all quarters soon after the news broke out. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed his “heartfelt condolences” in a message

All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Secretary-General Mehreen Malik in a statement said that Zareen Begum would be buried in Dubai. She described Ms Zareen as “an elegant lady blessed with a great personality.”

“Her departure is a big loss for Pakistan and former President Pervez Musharraf and his family,” she said in a tweet.

Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry in a condolence message described her as “a loving mother”. He said despite many odds, “she raised her children to achieve high goals in their careers. May her soul rest in peace.”

Dr Amjad Saqib, Chairman of Pakistan’s largest interest-free Microfinance organization prayed for the departed soul and recalled how she had donated “a substantial amount to Akhuwat” in 2007, as a philanthropist.

Begum Zareen had three sons; Dr. Javed Musharraf (an Economist), Dr. Naved Musharraf (an Anaestheologist), and Pervez Musharraf (former President of Pakistan). Born in Lucknow in 1920s, she was a Masters in English Literature and was residing with Pervez Musharraf in the United Arab Emirates.