Inamul Haque Khan

Inamul Haque Khan ( ; 25 May 1927 – 10 August 2017) was a three-star air officer in the Pakistan Air Force who is known for his role as AOC of the Dacca airbase of the Pakistan Air Force.

In 1971, Inamul Haque Khan, as Air Commodore, was one of the highest-ranking officers to be taken as a prisoner of war by India after Eastern Command's Commander Lieutenant-General A.A.K. Niazi signed an instrument of surrender with Indian Army's Eastern Command GOC-in-C, Lieutenant-General Jagjit Singh Aurora.

After his repatriation in 1974, he continued to serve in the Air Force with distinction, and eventually joined President General Zia-ul-Haq's administration where he held many cabinet ministries while later being part of the Nawaz Sharif's administration as well.

Early life and education

Inamul Haque Khan was born in Delhi, British India, on 25 May 1927. He was educated at the Aligarh Muslim University where he attained his BA and MA in English literature and briefly tenured as professor of English at the Zakir Husain Delhi College from 1945–47.

Military career

Move to Pakistan and war with India In 1948, he emigrated to Pakistan, following the partition of India and joined the Pakistan Air Force after seeing an advertisement. Inamul was directed to attend the RPAF College at Risalpur.

He participated well in the Indo-Pakistani air war during the second war with India in 1965 as Group-Captain, earning recognition as an ace fighter. He received the Sword of Honour both in flying and academic.

From Air Commodore to Air Marshal In 1969, he was promoted to one star rank, Air Commodore, in the Pakistan Air Force and was stationed in East Pakistan. As the war progressed, Air Cdre. Haque was instrumental in getting almost all PAF pilots and their aircraft out of Dacca after the Dhaka Airport was permanently damaged by the Indian Air Force, and had all the air force pilots flown out to Burma.

In 1974, Inamul Haque was repatriated to Pakistan under the agreement signed with India and Bangladesh, and was allowed to continue his service, eventually attaining the three-star rank in the Air Force.

Political career

Zia-ul-Haq administration Air Mshl Haque was appointed as Interior Minister in the Zia administration from 14 January 1978 until 5 July 1978. From 1978-82, he served as the Minister of Housing and Works. In 1980-81, he also led the Ministry of Water and Power. In 1981, he was posted on a diplomatic assignment as an envoy to Croatia until 1985.

Nawaz Sharif administration From 1997-99, he served as the Minister of Housing and Works in the second Nawaz Sharif government.

Last years and death In his later years, he would be associated with the Tablighi Jamaat, in the process abandoning his old interests such as music, drama, bridge and chess.

Air Marshal Inamul Haque Khan died of natural causes on the 10 August 2017 at the age of 90 after being ill for quite some time. His funeral prayers were held at PAF Base Noor Khan on 11 August with full military honours.

Books A writer, being a regular contributor to the Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, among his best-known books are:

Essays

Motivation in Peace and War, 1976. Recollections, 1984. Islamic Motivation and National Defence, 1991. Libraries and Librarianship, 1991. Memoirs of Insignificance, 1999.

Poetry

The Evening Songs, 1997. Sighs and Satisfaction, 1999.

Awards and decorations

PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours)Hilal-e-Jurat (Crescent of Courage)

1971 WarHilal-e-Imtiaz (Military)

(Crescent of Excellence)Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military)

(Star of Excellence)Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal)

1. 1965 War Clasp

2. 1971 War ClaspSitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War (War Star 1971)Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War (War Medal 1971)Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e- Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam

(100th Birth Anniversary of

Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

1976Tamgha-e-Jamhuria (Republic Commemoration Medal)

1956Hijri Tamgha (Hijri Medal)

1979