Javed Iqbal

Jawaid Iqbal (Urdu: ; born 31 March 1942) is a retired three-star-admiral of the Pakistan Navy, politician, and diplomat who served as the Ambassador of Pakistan to Tunisia from 1998 to 2004. The Government of Pakistan conferred the Sitara-e-Basalat and Hilal-i-Imtiaz awards on Iqbal for his contributions to the nation.

He is known for his support for civilian control of the army and opposition to the military takeover of the civilian government in 1999. He actively supports anti-corruption activities, and has served as the Vice-Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for this cause. However, he later resigned amid inter-party conflict, especially with views on former President Musharraf. He belongs to a Rajput family. After the partition of India in 1947, Iqbal emigrated to Pakistan and settled in Lahore, Punjab.

After he did his matriculation in 1961 from a local high school in Lahore, Iqbal joined the Pakistan Navy and was directed to join the Pakistan Military Academy. He received training at the Royal Naval Academy in England and the Royal Navy as a surface officer.

In 1992, he was promoted as one-star admiral, Cdre. He served as a commanding officer of the elite Special Services Group Navy until he was appointed as the director naval intelligence in 1992. Based on an accidental tip and reference received in sting intelligence, Iqbal eventually met with Zafar Iqbal in Karachi and arrested him to reveal information about the parties that were being paid among public and military officials. Iqbal briefed his findings to Cdre. Shahid Ashraf.

While commenting on his service-promotion, Iqbal, after retiring from his military service, reportedly said to news reporters: "Adm. Saeed Khan was the real person to take away big chunk of the deal because the deal was implemented in his tenure."

Staff appointment and ambassadorship to Tunisia Iqbal was appointed as the DCNS (Personnel) at the Navy NHQ and was later posted as the director of the Joint Training (DG Trig.) at the JS HQ in Rawalpindi.

He continued serving in the Foreign Service despite opposing the military takeover of the civilian government.

Political career

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (2004–2012) In 2004, Iqbal returned to Lahore where he joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

While serving as Vice-Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), he resigned from his position and left the party in an effort to oppose Khurshid Kasuri's support for Pervez Musharraf.

He is currently residing in Lahore, and has raised his concerns about the trials of Pervez Musharraf for illegally taking over the civilian government in 1999.

Writings In addition to his naval career, Admiral Javed Iqbal has contributed to written discourse on maritime affairs, national security, leadership, and strategic studies. His writings primarily focus on issues related to naval strategy, maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, civil–military relations, and Pakistan’s geostrategic environment. Iqbal has written articles and opinion pieces for Pakistani English-language newspapers and defence-oriented publications, including The Nation.