Yet another world leader is coming to Grand Rapids. The former President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, will be the guest speaker at this year’s annual dinner for the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan. Musharraf, 65, was President of Pakistan from 1999 until his resignation in August. His tenure was marked with civil unrest following his rise to power in a military coup which ousted the elected Prime Minister. His time as President also raised considerable questions about the limits of executive power and the relationship between the judiciary and executive branches of government in Pakistan.

There is, obviously, considerable excitement for this event within the World Affairs Council. “We have been working on this for several months,” Dixie Anderson told the Grand Rapids Press. “Pakistan and that part of the world is one of the most critical areas in the world.”

The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan, which is headquarted at Aquinas College, has sponsored speakers to Grand Rapids in previous years including President George W. Bush and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen.

Musharraf’s lecture promises to be interesting. He has survived several assassinations on his life and was known for a not always friendly relationship with the beloved former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto.

The dinner will take place on January 14 at the Grand Plaza Hotel. Tickets are available to members of the World Affairs Council for $125 or for non-members for $150, which includes a membership in the Council.