Gul Hassan Khan
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan (death 1999), was a former three star general and the last Army Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army from December 20, 1971 – March 3, 1972. Khan was the shortest Army Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army as of time line, and was deposed by President
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
after the Hamoodur Rahman Commission, led by Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman
, recommended and exposed his war-crimes. In a trial led by JAG Branch
, General Hassan Khan was immediately retired from the Army and further relieved from any benefits given to the retired officers.
, British Punjab of the British Indian Empire. In 1929, Khan joined the Indian Military Academy
at Dehra Dun, and graduated from there in 1933. He obtained commission in the British Indian Army
, and landed a staff job in the Army. Throughout the years, Khan did not joined the World war II
and was committed to work as a staff officer. Throughout the World war, Khan served as Aid-de-Camp (ADC) to Viscount Slim and opted Pakistan citizenship in 1947. Khan participated in the Indo-Pakistani war in Kashmir
as Lieutenant-Colonel. He also spent another year serving ADC to Governor-General
Jinnah
, founder of Pakistan. In 1960, Khan was promoted to Brigadier-General and commanded a small Brigade. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
, he was Director Military Operations (DMO). His actions of valor won him the prestigious Star of Pakistan.After the war, he was promoted to Major-General. In 1967, he was made GOC
of the 1st Armoured Division of Pakistan Army. In 1969, he was made Chief of General Staff (CGS)
.
of Pakistan Army, he was heading the Military operations and intelligence during this period. It is also alleged that he was the 'intellectual planner' of Pakistan Army's crackdown in former East Pakistan and that he prefered a military solution of the political crisis looming over the horizon of Pakistan during 1971. After the war, the newly installed civilian President
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
approved the appointment of Army Commander-in-Chief, and promoted him to Lieutenant-General. In controversy, Khan was avoided to be promoted the 4-star rank as oppose to his predecessors, by Bhutto.
He lacked foresight as was viwed by some of his fellow colleagues in Pakistan Army as "short on strategic vision but good as field commander". As Army Commander-in-Chief, Khan lessened the value of the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI]]. The ISI lost its importance throughout this time, and the new Army Commander did not pay any attention to ISI. The ISIs operations were never revealed to him and Khan was reluctant and incompetent commander to control the ISI.
by the order of the Civilian Martial Law administrator and then-President
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
. His retirement privileges and benefits were taken away as well as received a dishonorable discharge. He was allegedly huddled up in a car and taken to Lahore by road by Ghulam Mustafa Khar, a politician and a close associate of Bhutto's. Khan's alleged involvement and his controversial approvals of military operations during 1971 in East Pakistan created a public resentment towards him, as he was the Director-General of the Director-general for the Military Operations (DGMO). When it was cleared by Hamoodur Rahman Commission, led by Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman
, Bhutto fired Khan as Army Commander-in-Chief and appointed General Tikka Khan instead.
, and in Quetta
, Pakistan
. General Gul Hassan Khan died in 1999 and was buried in Pabbi in Nowshera District
(Main town of Chearat Cant, Chowki Mumriaz, Taroo Jaba, Akber Pura).
In the last few years of his life he was dividing his time between Vienna
, Austria
and Rawalpindi
, Pakistan. He wrote a book Memoirs of Lt. Gen. Gul Hassan Khan.
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
after the Hamoodur Rahman Commission, led by Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman
Hamoodur Rahman
Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman, Urdu: حمود الرحمن) was Pakistan-Bengali jurist and academia, a legal educator, who formerly served as the 7th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University as well as Professor of Law and Justice at the Karachi University...
, recommended and exposed his war-crimes. In a trial led by JAG Branch
Judge Advocate General Branch
The Judge Advocate General Branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces is composed of Pakistan's Military senior officers, lawyers and judges who provide legal services to the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines at all levels of command...
, General Hassan Khan was immediately retired from the Army and further relieved from any benefits given to the retired officers.
Army career
Khan was born in RawalpindiRawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
, British Punjab of the British Indian Empire. In 1929, Khan joined the Indian Military Academy
Indian Military Academy
The Indian Military Academy, Dehradun is the officer training school of the Indian Army. IMA was established in 1932.-Demands for an Indian military training academy:...
at Dehra Dun, and graduated from there in 1933. He obtained commission in the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
, and landed a staff job in the Army. Throughout the years, Khan did not joined the World war II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and was committed to work as a staff officer. Throughout the World war, Khan served as Aid-de-Camp (ADC) to Viscount Slim and opted Pakistan citizenship in 1947. Khan participated in the Indo-Pakistani war in Kashmir
Kashmir
Kashmir is the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term Kashmir geographically denoted only the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range...
as Lieutenant-Colonel. He also spent another year serving ADC to Governor-General
Governor-General of Pakistan
The Governor-General of Pakistan was the representative in Pakistan of the Crown from the country's independence in 1947. When Pakistan was proclaimed a republic in 1956 the connection with the British monarchy ended, and the office of Governor-General was abolished.-History:Pakistan gained...
Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....
, founder of Pakistan. In 1960, Khan was promoted to Brigadier-General and commanded a small Brigade. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, he was Director Military Operations (DMO). His actions of valor won him the prestigious Star of Pakistan.After the war, he was promoted to Major-General. In 1967, he was made GOC
General Officer Commanding
General Officer Commanding is the usual title given in the armies of Commonwealth nations to a general officer who holds a command appointment. Thus, a general might be the GOC II Corps or GOC 7th Armoured Division...
of the 1st Armoured Division of Pakistan Army. In 1969, he was made Chief of General Staff (CGS)
Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)
Chief of General Staff, shortly abbreviated as CGS, is the most coveted position within the Pakistan Army. Although four-star Chief of Army Staff is the nominal head of the land forces, CGS is the operational and intelligence lead of the institution...
.
Role in 1971
During 1971, he allegedly either executed or approved military operations in East-Pakistan, since as the Chief of General Staff (CGS)Chief of General Staff (Pakistan)
Chief of General Staff, shortly abbreviated as CGS, is the most coveted position within the Pakistan Army. Although four-star Chief of Army Staff is the nominal head of the land forces, CGS is the operational and intelligence lead of the institution...
of Pakistan Army, he was heading the Military operations and intelligence during this period. It is also alleged that he was the 'intellectual planner' of Pakistan Army's crackdown in former East Pakistan and that he prefered a military solution of the political crisis looming over the horizon of Pakistan during 1971. After the war, the newly installed civilian President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
approved the appointment of Army Commander-in-Chief, and promoted him to Lieutenant-General. In controversy, Khan was avoided to be promoted the 4-star rank as oppose to his predecessors, by Bhutto.
He lacked foresight as was viwed by some of his fellow colleagues in Pakistan Army as "short on strategic vision but good as field commander". As Army Commander-in-Chief, Khan lessened the value of the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI]]. The ISI lost its importance throughout this time, and the new Army Commander did not pay any attention to ISI. The ISIs operations were never revealed to him and Khan was reluctant and incompetent commander to control the ISI.
Ouster from the Army
His tenure, however, was short-lived. He was ousted as Army Commander-in-Chief on 3 March 1972 by Judge Advocate General BranchJudge Advocate General Branch
The Judge Advocate General Branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces is composed of Pakistan's Military senior officers, lawyers and judges who provide legal services to the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines at all levels of command...
by the order of the Civilian Martial Law administrator and then-President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
. His retirement privileges and benefits were taken away as well as received a dishonorable discharge. He was allegedly huddled up in a car and taken to Lahore by road by Ghulam Mustafa Khar, a politician and a close associate of Bhutto's. Khan's alleged involvement and his controversial approvals of military operations during 1971 in East Pakistan created a public resentment towards him, as he was the Director-General of the Director-general for the Military Operations (DGMO). When it was cleared by Hamoodur Rahman Commission, led by Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman
Hamoodur Rahman
Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman, Urdu: حمود الرحمن) was Pakistan-Bengali jurist and academia, a legal educator, who formerly served as the 7th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University as well as Professor of Law and Justice at the Karachi University...
, Bhutto fired Khan as Army Commander-in-Chief and appointed General Tikka Khan instead.
Family
He had three brothers and a sister. He has relatives still residing in Pabbi near PeshawarPeshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
, and in Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. General Gul Hassan Khan died in 1999 and was buried in Pabbi in Nowshera District
Nowshera District
Nowshera is a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan - the principal city is Nowshera. Nowshera District is divided into 47 Union Councils and 5 provincial seats....
(Main town of Chearat Cant, Chowki Mumriaz, Taroo Jaba, Akber Pura).
In the last few years of his life he was dividing his time between Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
, Pakistan. He wrote a book Memoirs of Lt. Gen. Gul Hassan Khan.
See also
- General Sahabzada Yaqub KhanSahabzada Yaqub KhanLieutenant-General Sahabzada Yaqub Ali Khan is a retired 3 star rank general in the Pakistan Army who the was the international face of Pakistan for three decades. He served as Foreign Minister of Pakistan from 1982 to 1991 during the dying days of Cold War and then caretaker Foreign Minister...
- General Muhammad Musa
- General Rao Farman AliRao Farman AliMajor General Rao Farman Ali Khan was Pakistan Army general during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. He took commission in an artillery regiment in 1941 and later commanded the 26 Field Regiment...
- General Mitha
Further reading
- Gul Hassan Khan, Memoirs of Lt.Gen.Gul Hassan Khan, OUP Pakistan (1994) ISBN 0-19-577445-0