Profile: General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan

(CNN) -- On April 30, 2002, Pakistan will hold a referendum to determine whether military President Pervez Musharraf should stay in power for another five years.

The referendum, denounced as unconstitutional by all major parties in Paskistan, is meant to ensure Musharraf's hold on power regardless of the results of the parliamentary elections in October 2002.

Musharraf has promised to restore civilian rule when a mandate given to him by the Supreme Court expires in October 2002.

However, he also admitted he is inclined to stay in power to ensure the continuation of his reform program.

Musharraf came to power in a bloodless military coup in October 1999, taking the role of 'Chief Executive' of Pakistan.

On June 20, 2001, he appointed himself the nation's president while continuing to hold office of Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

He is married to Sehba Musharraf with one son and one daughter, both of who are married. His son and a brother live in the United States.

Timeline

Born August 11, 1943 in New Delhi before India gained independence from Great Britain.

1949 - 1956: Musharraf spent his early childhood in Turkey owing to his father's deputation in Ankara.

1957: Migrated to Karachi in the same year Pakistan became a nation.

1964: Joined Pakistani army. Trained as a commando at the military academy of Kakul

1965: Awarded Imtiazi Sanad (medal) for gallantry during the 1965 Indo Pakistan war

1971: Served as a Company Commando in the commando battalion (war with India

1971-1995: Held different positions in the military, including commanding armored divisions and infantry brigades.

1993-1995: Served as Director General Military Operations at the General Headquarters

1998: Achieved rank of General on October 7th, and appointed Chief of Army Staff

1999: Seized power in October in a bloodless coup. Took the role of 'Chief Executive' of Pakistan on October 12. Continues to hold office of Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee

June 20, 2001: Appoints himself President of Pakistan, but says he remains committed to returning democracy to the nation

July 13, 2001: Arrives in New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Talks end in failure two days after

October 8, 2001: Musharraf requests resumption of peace talks with India

December 17, 2001 : Pakistan blamed for suicide attack on Indian parliament. India tells Musharaff to crackdown on Pakistan-based separatist groups

January 12, 2002: Musharraf declares war on extremism

March 9, 2002: India shuns Pakistan invitation for talks.

Apr 9, 2002: Pakistan sets referendum on April 30. Musharraf says he will remain army chief regardless of the outcome of the referendum.