Muzaffar Hassan
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral
Muzaffar Hassan, HQA, SPk, was the last Commander-in-Chief
of the Pakistan Navy
from 1969 to 1972, and led the Pakistan Navy
during the Indo-Pakistan Naval Operations
of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War
. In 1972, he was later sacked and court-martial as Naval Chief of Staff, along with the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan
and the Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan
. All of these Armed Forces and Services commanders were forcefully retired in a stand-up military trial led by the Judge Advocate General Branch
.
as a Non-Commissioned Officer
in 1932. He was later sent to United Kingdom
where he attended the Britannia Royal Naval College
where he graduated from there. He was quickly inducted in Royal Navy
's Executive Branch and served in World War II (in European front) on behalf of Royal Navy. In 1947, he returned to British Indian Empire and briefly served in Royal Indian Navy
(RIN). After Independence and Partition of India
, he was among one of the 20 Executive officers transferred to Pakistan Navy. At that time, he had reached the rank of Lieutenant
. In 1952, as Commander
, he was commanded PNS Tariq, the destroyer. At there, he accompanied Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, then Governor of Punjab Province
, in a Hajj mission
led by Pakistan Navy. He actively participated in Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
where he, as Rear-Admiral, led the Navy's mild operation in the conflict
In 1967, he became commander of Western Naval Command, followed by another 2 star assignment. In 1968, he was made Commander Karachi, a senior staff appointment of Pakistan Navy. In 1969, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral in the Navy and assumed the Command
of Pakistan Navy.
. Before starting of the conflict, he has denied the request of Eastern Naval Command's Commander, Rear-Admiral Mohammad Shariff
to deploy the Pakistan Naval destroyers in the East Pakistan
. During the conflict, Karachi came under an intense attack
led by the Indian Navy. He repeatedly request to his counter part Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal
Abdul Rahim Khan
to protect the Naval vessels. However, the PAF
did not intervene to protect naval assets in Karachi. After the war, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan famously had said to him: "Well old boy,this happens in war. I am sorry your ships have been sunk".
In July 1972, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan
Justice Hamoodur Rahman
released the first report of the investigated commission created by Pakistan Government. Following the release of the reports, he was arrested by the Naval police of Pakistan Navy in Rawalpindi. He, along with Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan
and the Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan
, were brought up to the military trial led by the Judge Advocate General Branch
of Pakistan Defence Forces. President
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
, Civil Martial Law Administrator at that time, had led the JAG Branch. After the hearing, all of these Armed Forces and Services commanders were forcefully retired in a stand-up military trial led by the Judge Advocate General Branch
. Their 3-Star ranks and state conferred medals and awards were revoked as well as their ousted from the list of Honorable citizens of Pakistan.
After his released, he moved to Karachi where he was put out of public and media eye. He died in 1984 peacefully and is buried in Military Graveyard, Karachi.
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Muzaffar Hassan, HQA, SPk, was the last Commander-in-Chief
Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Asif Sandila who commands the Navy. The CNS reports...
of the Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
from 1969 to 1972, and led the Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
during the Indo-Pakistan Naval Operations
Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani Naval warfare of 1971 were the series of aggressive naval battles fought by the Indian and Pakistani Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. These battles were an integral part of India-Pakistan War of 1971 and the Pakistan war in Bangladesh...
of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
. In 1972, he was later sacked and court-martial as Naval Chief of Staff, along with the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan
Gul Hassan Khan
Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan , was a former three star general and the last Army Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army from December 20, 1971 – March 3, 1972...
and the Chief of Air Staff
Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, abbreviated as CAS, is typically the highest ranking 4-star rank officer in the Pakistan Air Force, unless a four-star officer is appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The CAS is a senior and permanent member of the...
Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan
Abdul Rahim Khan
Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, HJ, HQA, SPk, SBt was a 3-star rank general and air officer who served as the last Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force between 1969 and 1972...
. All of these Armed Forces and Services commanders were forcefully retired in a stand-up military trial led by the Judge Advocate General 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...
.
Naval career
Hassan joined the Royal Indian NavyRoyal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
as a Non-Commissioned Officer
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
in 1932. He was later sent to United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
where he attended the Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
where he graduated from there. He was quickly inducted in Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's Executive Branch and served in World War II (in European front) on behalf of Royal Navy. In 1947, he returned to British Indian Empire and briefly served in Royal Indian Navy
Royal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
(RIN). After Independence and Partition of India
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
, he was among one of the 20 Executive officers transferred to Pakistan Navy. At that time, he had reached the rank of Lieutenant
Lieutenant (naval)
LieutenantThe pronunciation of lieutenant is generally split between or , generally in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries, and or , generally associated with the United States. See lieutenant. is a commissioned officer rank in many nations' navies...
. In 1952, as Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, he was commanded PNS Tariq, the destroyer. At there, he accompanied Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, then Governor of Punjab Province
Governor of Punjab (Pakistan)
The Governor of Punjab is the appointed head of state of the provincial government in Punjab, Pakistan. The governor is designated by the Prime Minister and is normally regarded a ceremonial post...
, in a Hajj mission
Hajj
The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, and is the fifth pillar of Islam, a religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so...
led by Pakistan Navy. He actively participated in 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...
where he, as Rear-Admiral, led the Navy's mild operation in the conflict
In 1967, he became commander of Western Naval Command, followed by another 2 star assignment. In 1968, he was made Commander Karachi, a senior staff appointment of Pakistan Navy. In 1969, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral in the Navy and assumed the Command
Chief of Naval Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Naval Staff, abbreviated as CNS, is the highest ranking officer in the Pakistani Navy unless a 4-star naval officer is appointed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Asif Sandila who commands the Navy. The CNS reports...
of Pakistan Navy.
Chief of Naval Staff
As Chief of Naval Staff, he led the Pakistan Navy in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
. Before starting of the conflict, he has denied the request of Eastern Naval Command's Commander, Rear-Admiral Mohammad Shariff
Mohammad Shariff
Admiral Mohammad Shariff, , , is a retired four-star naval officer and a career war veteran. Admiral Mohammad Shariff took over the command of Pakistan Navy on 21 March, 1979, when a three-star vice-admiral, Hasan Hafeez Ahmed, died in office...
to deploy the Pakistan Naval destroyers in the East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
. During the conflict, Karachi came under an intense attack
Operation Python
Operation Python, a follow up to Operation Trident, was a code name of a naval attack launched on West Pakistan's port city of Karachi by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971...
led by the Indian Navy. He repeatedly request to his counter part Chief of Air Staff
Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, abbreviated as CAS, is typically the highest ranking 4-star rank officer in the Pakistan Air Force, unless a four-star officer is appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The CAS is a senior and permanent member of the...
Air Marshal
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Abdul Rahim Khan
Abdul Rahim Khan
Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, HJ, HQA, SPk, SBt was a 3-star rank general and air officer who served as the last Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force between 1969 and 1972...
to protect the Naval vessels. However, the PAF
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
did not intervene to protect naval assets in Karachi. After the war, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan famously had said to him: "Well old boy,this happens in war. I am sorry your ships have been sunk".
In July 1972, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan
The Supreme Court is the apex court in Pakistan's judicial hierarchy, the final arbiter of legal and constitutional disputes. The Supreme Court has a permanent seat in Islamabad. It has number of Branch Registries where cases are heard. It has a number of de jure powers which are outlined in the...
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...
released the first report of the investigated commission created by Pakistan Government. Following the release of the reports, he was arrested by the Naval police of Pakistan Navy in Rawalpindi. He, along with Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan
Gul Hassan Khan
Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan , was a former three star general and the last Army Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army from December 20, 1971 – March 3, 1972...
and the Chief of Air Staff
Chief of Air Staff (Pakistan)
The Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force, abbreviated as CAS, is typically the highest ranking 4-star rank officer in the Pakistan Air Force, unless a four-star officer is appointed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The CAS is a senior and permanent member of the...
Air Marshal Abdul Rahim Khan
Abdul Rahim Khan
Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan, HJ, HQA, SPk, SBt was a 3-star rank general and air officer who served as the last Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force between 1969 and 1972...
, were brought up to the military trial led by the Judge Advocate General 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...
of Pakistan Defence Forces. 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...
, Civil Martial Law Administrator at that time, had led the JAG Branch. After the hearing, all of these Armed Forces and Services commanders were forcefully retired in a stand-up military trial led by the Judge Advocate General 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...
. Their 3-Star ranks and state conferred medals and awards were revoked as well as their ousted from the list of Honorable citizens of Pakistan.
After his released, he moved to Karachi where he was put out of public and media eye. He died in 1984 peacefully and is buried in Military Graveyard, Karachi.