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After the [[Operation Fair Play|military takeover]] of [[Government of Pakistan|civilian government]] by General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]], the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]], Abdul Rahim left the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] and moved to [[United States]]. He bought a house in [[Potomac, Maryland|Potomac]], [[Maryland]] and lived until his death due to [[Kidney failure]] on 28 February 1990.<ref name="Pride" />
After the [[Operation Fair Play|military takeover]] of [[Government of Pakistan|civilian government]] by General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq|Zia-ul-Haq]], the [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]], Abdul Rahim left the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] and moved to [[United States]]. He bought a house in [[Potomac, Maryland|Potomac]], [[Maryland]] and lived until his death due to [[Kidney failure]] on 28 February 1990.<ref name="Pride" />


Abdul Rahim Khan was married to Princess [[Mehrunissa Khan]],<ref>Mehrunissa Khan. ''An extraordinary life: Princess Mehrunissa of Rampur'', (Blue Leaf, 2006)</ref> the only child of the beloved but unofficial third queen of the Nawab of Rampur. They got married in London when Rahim Khan was a group captain.<ref>Vatsala Kaul. [http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/VirtualPageView.jsp?page_id=955 "The princess diaries : Mehrunissa of Rampur"] ''Harmony Magazine'', October 2004</ref>
Abdul Rahim Khan was married to Princess [[Mehrunissa Khan]],<ref>Mehrunissa Khan. ''An extraordinary life: Princess Mehrunissa of Rampur'', (Blue Leaf, 2006)</ref> the only child of the beloved but unofficial third queen of the Nawab of Rampur. They got married in London when Rahim Khan was a group captain.<ref>Vatsala Kaul. [http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/VirtualPageView.jsp?page_id=955 "The princess diaries : Mehrunissa of Rampur"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613111609/http://harmonyindia.org/hportal/VirtualPageView.jsp?page_id=955 |date=2010-06-13 }} ''Harmony Magazine'', October 2004</ref>


Abdul Rahim Khan was described as "soft‐spoken" and was fond of [[golf]] and [[polo]], and avoided making slighting remarks about his Indian adversaries.<ref name="The New York Times, Browne" />
Abdul Rahim Khan was described as "soft‐spoken" and was fond of [[golf]] and [[polo]], and avoided making slighting remarks about his Indian adversaries.<ref name="The New York Times, Browne" />

Revision as of 17:20, 13 September 2017

Abdur Rahim Khan
عبدالرحیم خان
File:A.Rahim Khan.jpg
Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Air Force
In office
September 1, 1969 – March 2, 1972
PresidentYahya Khan
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Vice PresidentNurul Amin
Preceded byNur Khan
Succeeded byZafar Chaudhry
Ambassador of Pakistan to Spain
In office
11 May 1972 – 13 April 1977
Personal details
Born
Abdul Rahim Khan

(1925-10-25)October 25, 1925
DiedFebruary 28, 1990(1990-02-28) (aged 64)
Potomac, Maryland, United States
CitizenshipBritish Subject (1925–1947)
Pakistan (1947–1990)
Civilian awards Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam
Sitara-e-Pakistan
NicknameA.R. Khan
Military service
Branch/service Royal Indian Air Force (1944–1947)
 Pakistan Air Force (1947–1972)
Years of service1942–72
Rank Air Marshal
UnitNo. 7 Squadron Bandits
CommandsACAS (Operations), AHQ
AOC PAF Base Masrur
PAF Staff College
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1965

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Military awardsHilal-i-Jurat
Sitara-e-Basalat

Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, (Urdu: عبدالرحیم خان ; October 25, 1925 – February 28, 1990) HJ, S.Pk, SBt, was a three-star rank air marshal who served as the last Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force from 1969 until 1972.

In 1972, Khan was dismissed from the his military service by the Judge Advocate General and relieved from the command of the Air Force over the allegations of obstructing the hearings of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission. He was terminated alongside with the Pakistan Army's Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan and Pakistan Navy's Commander-in-Chief Vice-Admiral Muzaffar Hassan. Upon succeeding by Air Chief Marshal Zafar Chaudhry as first Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force, he joined the Foreign Service and briefly served as Pakistan Ambassador to Spain till 1977.

Biography

World War II and Air Force Career

Abdul Rahim Khan was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab, British India on 25 July 1925.[1] He hailed from a Punjabi-Pathan family.: 56–57 [2]

He joined the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) and gained commissioned as F/O in 1943. He participated in the RIAF's bombing missions against Japan in the Burma theater in World War II.[1] After the independence of Pakistan as a result of partition of India on 14 August 1947, he opted for Pakistan and joined the newly established Pakistan Air Force while taking up the instructor position in the Air Force Academy.[1] In 1950s, he was sent to United Kingdom where he attended the Imperial Defense College where he graduated with a staff course degree.[1] He later went to the United States to attend the staff college and underwent to complete a pilot's training on the jet aircraft.[1]

In 1952, he earned distinction and notability when he broke the sound barrier; thus becoming the first Pakistani pilot to fly at a speed faster than sound.[1] Upon returning to Pakistan, he was given the command of No. 11 Squadron Arrows, the only squadrons composed with jet fighters.[3] In addition he also commanded the No. 9 Squadron Griffins.[3]

His command assignment included his role as commandant of the Air War College and AOC of Masroor Air Force Base in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.[3]

In 1965, Air Cdre Khan was appointed as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff of Air Operations (ACAS(Ops)) and participated in detailing the air operations during in the second war with India.[1]

Air Commander-in-Chief

On 1 September 1 1969, Air Cdre Khan was promoted to three-star rank, Air Marshal, was appointed Commander in Chief of Pakistan Air Force, serving under President Yahya Khan.[3] During this time, he paid a visit to China to strengthened military relations between two nations.[4]

In 1971, AM Khan led the PAF during the third war with India, and is noted for making leading the air force in making minimum aerial contact with the Indian Air Force.[1] About the aerial missions, AM Khan reportedly marked: "Well, I suppose we did not commit any major blunders."[1] He issued directives of banning the Bengali pilots flying for the bombing missions after a one pilot attempted to defect to India, but the attempt was made unsuccessful by the second pilot.[1]

After the Indian Navy's second attack on Karachi, AM Khan refused to make further retaliation against the Indian Navy and reportedly told the Pakistan Navy's Commander in Chief Vice-Admiral Muzaffar Hassan: "Well, old boy, this happens in war. I am sorry your ships have been sunk. We shall try to do something in the future.": 89–90 [5]

Air Mshl Khan played a critical and pivotal role in turning over the President Yahya Khan's administration and helped Zulfikar Ali Bhutto assuming the presidency on 20 December 1971.[1] Air Mshl Khan became to known and gained reputation as the strongest military influence in the country.[1]

On 2 March 1972, President Bhutto dismissed Air Mshl Khan and Lt.Gen Gul Hassan Khan from their respective commands in an allegations of obstructing the hearings of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission.: 44 [6] President Bhutto leveled charges on him of "Bonaparte" actions, and replaced with him Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry who was appointed as first chief of air staff– thus making him the last commander in chief of the air force.[7]

Ambassador of Pakistan to Spain

On 11 March 1972, President Bhutto, instead, posted him in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and appointed him as the designated Pakistan Ambassador to Spain, alongside with Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan who was sent as Ambassador to Austria.: 144 [8]

He presented his diplomatic credentials to Juan Carlos I in Barcelona but his tenureship remained until 13 April 1977 when he resigned in protest against the allegations of riggings during the general elections held in 1977.: 536 [9] He immediately appealed and called for Pakistani military to forcefully removed Prime Minister Bhutto.: 536 [9]

Death, personal life, and image

After the military takeover of civilian government by General Zia-ul-Haq, the Chief of Army Staff, Abdul Rahim left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and moved to United States. He bought a house in Potomac, Maryland and lived until his death due to Kidney failure on 28 February 1990.[3]

Abdul Rahim Khan was married to Princess Mehrunissa Khan,[10] the only child of the beloved but unofficial third queen of the Nawab of Rampur. They got married in London when Rahim Khan was a group captain.[11]

Abdul Rahim Khan was described as "soft‐spoken" and was fond of golf and polo, and avoided making slighting remarks about his Indian adversaries.[1]

See Also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Browne, Malcolm W. Browne (29 December 1971). "Man in the News" (html). The New York Times. Islamabad, NY Times Bureau: The New York Times, Browne. The New York Times. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  2. ^ Azam, Ikram (1992). From Pakitan [sic] to Pakistan: From Jinnah's Pakistan to Today's Pakistan (1st ed.). Karachi, Sindh, Pk: National Book Foundation. p. 288. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e "Abdur Rahim Khan | Pride of Pakistan | Commemorations | PrideOfPakistan.com". prideofpakistan.com. Pride. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  4. ^ Open Society Archives : AIR MARSHAL'S VISIT TO PEKING REFLECTS LIVELY MILITARY CONTACTS BETWEEN CHINA AND PAKISTAN[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Goldrick, James (1997). "§The 1971 Indo-Pakistan war at sea". No Easy Answers: The Development of the Navies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, 1945-1996 (PDF). Melbourne, [au]: Lancer Publishers. ISBN 9781897829028. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  6. ^ Rizvi, Hasan Askari (2000). The Military & Politics in Pakistan, 1947-1997 (1st ed.). Karachi, Pakistan: Sang-e-Meel Publications. p. 382. ISBN 9789693511482. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ Times, Malcolm W. browne Special To The New York (4 March 1972). "BHUTTO DISMISSES 2 MILITARY CHIEFS". The New York Times. The New York Times. The New York Times, Islamabad Bureau. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  8. ^ Rizvi, H. (2000). "Civilian Interlude". Military, State and Society in Pakistan (googlebooks). U.S.: Springer. p. 300. ISBN 9780230599048. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  9. ^ a b Majumdar, R. (1998). Pakistan: Jinnah to the present day (2 ed.). Lahore, Pakistan: Anmol Publications. ISBN 9788174888648. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  10. ^ Mehrunissa Khan. An extraordinary life: Princess Mehrunissa of Rampur, (Blue Leaf, 2006)
  11. ^ Vatsala Kaul. "The princess diaries : Mehrunissa of Rampur" Archived 2010-06-13 at the Wayback Machine Harmony Magazine, October 2004
Military offices
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Air Force
1969 – 1972 		Succeeded by
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