Saeedullah Khan
Saeedullah Khan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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سعید اللہ خان | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() Portrait, c. 1964 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deputy Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Force | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 22 June 1972 – 29 June 1973 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pakistan Air Attaché to Washington | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office January 1970 – May 1972 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Eric G. Hall | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deputy Managing Director Pakistan International Airlines | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 29 August 1969 – January 1970 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Bhagalpur, British India | 23 July 1926||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 26 January 2002 Lahore, Pakistan | (aged 75)||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relatives | Khalifa Mohammad Asadullah (father-in-law) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Education | Government College, Lahore No. 1 (I) SFTS RAF Central Flying School RAF Staff College, Andover[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Military service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Branch/service | ![]() ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years of service | 1945–73 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank | ![]() ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commands | Deputy Chief of Air Staff Pakistan Air Attaché to Washington PAF Academy Director Operations 1965 War Deputy Commandant PAF Staff College PAF Station Sargodha No. 33 Air Supply Wing No. 32 FGA Wing No. 2 Squadron PAF No. 9 Squadron PAF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Battles/wars | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Awards | Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam (1963) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Air Vice Marshal Saeedullah Khan TQA (Urdu: سعید اللہ خان; 23 July 1926 – 26 January 2002) was a two-star rank air officer of the Pakistan Air Force. Khan was a pioneering officer of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), serving as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from June 1972 to June 1973 before retiring. As Deputy Chief, he was one of the right-hand men of CAS of the PAF Zafar Chaudhry, alongside ACAS Operations Khaqan Abbasi and Director Air Intelligence Mufti.[3][4]
In the book, Flight of the Falcon, Sajad Haider writes that Saeedullah and Khaqan were involved in a witch-hunt against PAF officers, including Sajad himself, attempting to implicate them in the Attock conspiracy at the behest of Zafar Chaudhry. Haider and other PAF officers discovered with great awe and excitement that Prime Minister Bhutto sacked Saeedullah Khan, Khaqan Abbasi, and Zafar Chaudhry from their duties due to allegations of intrigue and witch-hunting. Saeedullah and Khaqan two were not allowed to attend their offices and were unceremoniously and prematurely retired when the PAF command changed under Bhutto. Sajad further notes that Saeedullah Khan retired "into oblivion", playing the stock market with Hamid Qureshi, a 1965 War drop-out. Khan later worked for a rogue financial company involved in illicit financial dealings. Sajad writes that despite being financially honest, Saeedullah Khan was likely a victim of circumstances.[5]
In July 1998, Khan was among 63 retired Pakistani, Indian, and Bengali armed forces personnel who signed an agreement urging Pakistan and India to refrain from developing nuclear weapons. Instead, they advocated for limiting nuclear research and development strictly to peaceful and beneficial purposes. They also called for Pakistan and India to resolve their disputes through peaceful means and address their real problems of poverty and backwardness, rather than wasting their scarce resources on acquiring means of destruction.[6][7]
Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim recalled, "I learnt a lot especially from Group Captain Saeedullah Khan. He was well read, knowledgeable, and had excellent grasp of what the PAF needed for the future. He was firm and demanded hard work from his subordinates. He was a thorough gentleman and dedicated family man. He was a well-dressed officer and also appreciated those who dressed up well. In fact, he was what one would truly call an officer and gentleman."[8]
Early life and education
[edit]Saeedullah Khan was born on 23 July 1926 in Bhagalpur to S.A. Khan, an officer of the Indian Civil Service. Saeedullah graduated from the Government College, Lahore.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Saeedullah married a daughter of Khalifa Mohammad Asadullah.
Royal Indian Air Force career
[edit]Saeedullah Khan was commissioned into the RIAF on 17 September 1945, after graduating from the 38th course of the No. 1 (I) SFTS.
Pakistan Air Force career
[edit]After the Partition of British India, he opted for the RPAF. From 28 August 1947 to 14 January 1948, Saeedullah attended the No. 102 Flying Instructors Course of the RAF Central Flying School.[2]
In 1948, Flight Lieutenant Saeedullah Khan was instructing Flying Officer Saleem-el-Edroos in dogfight maneuvers when Edroos crashed, resulting in a fatal accident.[9][10]
In 1951, No. 9 Squadron formed the first aerobatics team on their Hawker Fury's, known as "The Red Dragons", which was the first aerobatic team in the Indian subcontinent. They performed at the farewell ceremony for the outgoing C-in-C of the RPAF Richard Atcherley. The team members were Squadron Leader Zafar Chaudhry, Flight Lieutenant Saeedullah Khan, Flying Officer T. H. Gotting, and Flying Officer M. Hayat Khan.[11]
Saeedullah Khan was deputed to Pakistan International Airlines as the Deputy Managing Director on 29 August 1969 by Abdur Rahim Khan.[12] During his tenure, Saeedullah inaugurated a two-week course on aviation accident prevention investigation. The course, was held for the first time in Pakistan and was co-sponsored by the PIA, CAA, and the Swedish Institute of Aviation Safety.[13]
On the visit of the Chinese basketball team to Pakistan in 1973, the Chinese embassy gave a reception which was attended by AVM Saeedullah Khan, other senior officials and Pakistani basketball players.[14]
Death
[edit]Saeedullah died on 26 January 2002 at the age of 76 in Lahore, Pakistan.[citation needed]
Effective dates of promotion
[edit]Insignia | Rank | Date |
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Air Vice Marshal | June 1972 |
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Air Commodore | January 1964 |
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Group Captain | 13 January 1962 |
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Wing Commander | 5 May 1958 |
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Squadron Leader | September 1953 |
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Flight Lieutenant | 1948 |
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Flying Officer | 17 September 1946 |
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Pilot Officer | 17 September 1945 |
Awards and decorations
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PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours) | |||
Pakistan Medal
(Pakistan Tamgha) 1947 |
Tamgha-e-Jamhuria
(Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956 |
Tamgha-e-Diffa
(Defence Medal) | |
War Medal 1939–1945 | Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
1953 |
Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam
Medal of the Quaid-e-Azam |
Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War
(War Star 1965) |
References
[edit]- ^ Shaheen: Journal of the Pakistan Air Force. 1984. p. 42.
- ^ a b c "Saeedullah Khan promoted Group Captain". The Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore). 15 January 1962.
- ^ History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982. 1982. p. 222.
- ^ Diplomatic List. 1972. p. 80.
- ^ Sajad Haider, FLIGHT OF THE FALCON: Demolishing myths of Indo-Pak wars 1965 & 1971, VANGUARD BOOKS, Lahore, 2009
- ^ Out of the Nuclear Shadow. 2001. p. 408.
- ^ "JOINT STATEMENT AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS AND WEAPONS BY RETIRED PAKISTANI, INDIAN AND BANGLADESHI ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL". 1 July 1998.
- ^ Anwar Shamim (2010). Cutting Edge PAF: Reminiscences. pp. 142–43.
- ^ Shaheen: Journal of the Pakistan Air Force. Vol. 35. 1988. p. 40.
- ^ Ahmed, Wing Commander Lanky (2001). A Lucky Pilot.
- ^ PAF Over the Years. 2002. p. 24.
- ^ Flight International. Vol. 96. 1969. p. 409.
- ^ Woman's World. Vol. 12. 1969.
- ^ Survey of People's Republic of China. 1973. p. 237.