Syed Mohammad Ahsan
Encyclopedia
Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan HQA, SPk, DSO
, (b. 1921 – d. 1989) was a senior three-star admiral
who was the 4th Chief of Naval Staff
of Pakistan Navy
from October 20, 1966 to August 31, 1969. A naval intelligence officer by profession, Vice-Admiral Ahsan was integral to the establishment and expansion of the capabilities of Naval Intelligence
and the elite Naval Special Service Group
, and took initiatives to modernize the navy. As director-general of Naval Intelligence, Vice-Admiral S.M. Ahsan participated actively in the war and led the Naval intelligence operations during Indo-Pak 1965 September war
.
He was the most trusted companion of President
and Chief Martial Law Administrator
Field Marshal Ayub Khan and was present at every meeting chaired by Khan. Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan rose to be country's second most influential and powerful man during the Ayub Khan's military dictatorship, playing an influential role in Ayub Khan's military and strategic policies in Pakistan. In 1969, after his tenure as Chief of Naval Staff, Chief Martial Law Administrator
General Yahya Khan appointed Vice-Admiral Ahsan as Martial Law Administrator of East Pakistan at the request of the former President.
On 1 September 1969, Vice-Admiral Ahsan assumed the command of East Pakistan as Martial Law Administrator with absolute and authoritative gubernatorial and political power
and military power in East Pakistan. Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan was the supreme commander of the Pakistan Combatant Forces in the Eastern contingent, and served as the Commander of the Pakistan Eastern Military High Command
until his resignation, in protest, on 7 March 1971.
(then known as British Indian Empire), to an educated Urdu-speaking family. Ahsan was the first cousin of Royal Indian Merchant Navy Captain
Muhammad Syed
. Together with his cousin, Ahsan graduated from the Indian Naval Academy
gaining a B.S. in Military science. Later, he passed the university entrance exam, and attended the Osmania University
as the Royal Navy
funded his education. There, he graduated with a B.Sc.
in statistics and physics in 1943. He joined the Royal Indian Navy
in 1940 and began his active duty
with Royal Indian Navy
as Sub-Lieutenant (Lieutenant Junior Grade) in 1943. After he left Osmania University, Lieutenant Ahsan was posted to Royal Navy
's Naval Operations Branch, and traveled to United Kingdom
. He initially worked as a Weapon Engineer Officer (WEO) at the Royal Naval Engineers
. In 1945, he became a Lieutenant
and actively participated in World War II
, fighting against Nazi Germany
. As a Lieutenant, he was Executive officer at the Royal Naval Engineers where he played a major role in improving the British Naval electrical and radar systems that were providing key information to the Royal Navy to counter German Navy operations in the English channel
. For his services to the Royal Navy, he was conferred with the Distinguished Service Order
. He returned to British Indian Empire and continued his services with Royal Navy
. Following his return in 1946, Lieutenant Ahsan was made ADC
to Lord Mountbatten of Burma
as Supreme Commander of the British Indian Armed Forces and assisted him in meetings to resolve crises in the British Indian Empire. At the independence of Pakistan in August 14th of 1947, Lieutenant Ahsan chose to join the Pakistan Navy
and accepted citizenship of Pakistan. He was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and was assigned the position of military adviser to the founder and first Governor-General M.A. Jinnah. Lieutenant-Commander Ahsan was the first person at Jinnah Terminal to receive Mountabattens when they first arrived to Karachi to meet Jinnah.
On 30 September 1949, the PNS Tippu Sultan was commissioned under the command of Commander
PS Evans, with Lieutenant-Commander Ahsan her First Lieutenant. In 1950, he was promoted to Commander
and commanded PNS Tariq and made first goodwill visit to Malta
, along with Tippu Sultan, commanded by Commander Afzal Rahman Khan
. Later in 1951, he also commanded HMS Tughril
for a short time.
and was made the Deputy Director of the Naval Intelligence, and played an integral and major role in formulating the policies and instutitional set up of the Naval Intelligence
and the directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI). At the end of December 1952, Major-General Robert Cawthome, Director-General of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), sent a priority report to Commander Ahsan, and asked for detailed discussions with Pakistan Armed Forces personnel on the basic principles of the ISI. During this meeting with ISI officials, Ahsan concluded that East Pakistan mustn't be ignored and should be given equal status with West Pakistan. Ahsan feared that not carrying our such actions might result in the partition of East and West Pakistan. In 1958, he was made Captain
, and was made staff officer and also served as the principal military secretary to Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of former Prime minister
Liaquat Ali Khan
.
In 1960, he was promoted to one-star rank as commodore
, and was situated in the Naval Combatant Headquarters (NHQ) in Karachi. Ahsan established the Logistics Command as Pakistan Navy had suffered logistics
problems in both East and West Pakistan. He established the Karachi Naval Logistic base, known as COMLOG, and served as its first commander. In 1957, he was made Commander of Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK). As commander of COMLOG, he also supervised other navy-led projects and the construction of Naval Operation Headquarters in Karachi. However in 1961, Ahsan was made Director-General of the Naval Intelligence and established the naval intelligence unit within the navy. In 1964, Ahsan was promoted to the two-star rank of rear admiral and was situated in Ayub Khan's Presidential office. He was the principal military secretary to Ayub Khan, Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army
and President
at the same time. In a short time, Rear-Admiral Ahsan gained influence on President Ayub Khan and advised him on important military issues. Ahsan attended every meeting chaired by President Ayub Khan and played an major role in Ayub Khan's decisions on military affairs. Ahsan also played an influential role in the establishment of Pakistan's Eastern Military High Command
. Ahsan was opposed to any military action against East Pakistan and prevented Khan taking military actions in East Pakistan despite calls for them.
, in Kashmir
, India attacked Pakistan and a second war
was fought between India and Pakistan. As Director-General of Naval Intelligence, Ahsan planned the naval operation Operation Somnath at Dwarka
and selected the combatant fleet for the operation. The operation met with mixed results but it stopped the Indian Air Force
raiding Karachi
. and Pakistan's coastal areas. As director-general of Naval Intelligence, Ahsan collated intelligence reports on the Indian Navy's strategic western naval positions, and orchestrated naval operations against the Indian Navy. In 1965, after the war ended, Ayub Khan awarded him the highest award Star of Pakistan, making him the only naval officer to win the award. He was promoted to three-star-officer rank, a vice-admiral. Ayub Khan personally appointed him as the 4th Chief of Naval
of Pakistan Navy on October 20, 1966, nearly a year after the war with India in September 1965.
in the Naval Submarine Service Branch (SSB). As Chief of Naval Staff, he modernized the Pakistan Navy and created an Intelligence circle in the Pakistan Navy. He also expanded the navy's operations throughout the country, and established a well-maintained Naval Intelligence Directorate, directly reporting to him. In 1966, he accepted the recommendation from United States Navy
and established the Naval Special Service Group
, an equivalent organization to that of U.S. Navy SEALs. He also established the Naval Academy
in Karachi. As Chief of Naval Staff, he also served as the as Board of Governors
of Cadet College Petaro
from 1966–1968.
Vice-Admiral Ahsan is also credited with founding Port Qasim
– Pakistan's second port - after exploring the coast around Phitti Creek
, when he was Chief of Naval Staff. He immediately met with then Energy Minister and Foreign Minister
Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
where he convinced Bhutto in 1972 to locate the port there. After convincing Bhutto, he supervised the construction and establishment of the port where he set up the main industries and machineries at the Port. The main channel of this port bears his name.
and Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army
General Yahya Khan appointed him to become the Governor and Martial Law Administrator of East-Pakistan
on 1 September 1969, as Ayub Khan had asked his brother to make this appointment. The assignment was considered very difficult by the Pakistan High Military Command, and many senior officers from the Pakistan Armed Forces were reluctant to accept appointments in East Pakistan. The crises in East Pakistan was at its peak and situation was deteriorated under the Military administration of Major-General Muzaffaruddin. By tradition, the Chiefs of the respective Armed services were expected to retired from their services once they had complete their tenure, but in this case Syed Mohammad Ahsan was appointed to the province as a serving uniformed admiral. However, the situation in East Pakistan was at critical point, and Military Government wanted an administrator with a good reputation in the province. Therefore, Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan's service was extended and he was given a command assignment that was considered very difficult. On 1 September 1969, Admiral Ahsan arrived, in his uniform, in East Pakistan and assumed the control of the East. He was also unified commander of the Pakistan Combatant Forces with both political and military powers. As military administrator of East Pakistan, Admiral S.M. Ahsan tried to solve the East Pakistan crisis politically, often meeting General Yahya Khan, and the political leadership of both East and West Pakistan. While he was military administrator, the country had been in turmoil with riots and disturbances in East and West Pakistan against the rule of former President Field Marshal Ayub Khan.
were held in the country
in December 1970. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
’s People's League was the clear victor having secured more than 39.2% of the seats in the Parliament. The outcomes were a shock to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who ended up with around 18.6% of the seats — all from West Pakistan
. Therefore, Bhutto refused to accept a coalition government led by Prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
which led to the disastrous action by Pakistan Armed Forces in East Pakistan, and the eventual independence of Bangladesh after the Indian invasion in December 1971. Mujib put pressure on the Pakistan Armed Forces, and was aided by an anti-Yahya Khan movement in both contingents. The high military commanders advocated armed action in East Pakistan.
In February of 1971, Admiral Ahsan attended the high level government meeting chaired by Chief Martial Law Administrator
General Yahya Khan. There was another meeting, which Admiral Ahsan described as "tense", where the atmosphere was highly "anti-bengali", with no representation from East Pakistan in the policy and decision-making. Admiral Ahsan opposed any military armed action in East Pakistan, when he was asked on the situation. Admiral Ahsan was the only naval officer in the meeting which was full of Army
and Air Force
's generals. Because of his continuous objections to the planned military plan, Admiral Ahsan became highly unpopular and his counterparts and colleagues called him "difficult" at best and "sold to the Bengalis" at worst. On February 22, 1971, Admiral Ahsan attended the last meeting over the issue of the East Pakistan. And, Chief Martial Law Administrator General Yahya Khan ordered his commanders in Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy, to launch an extreme military action to curb the resistance, despite repeated calls made by Admiral Ahsan to prevent any military operation. Disheartened and isolated by his colleagues, Admiral Ahsan returned to East Pakistan to pick up his personal belongings. On March 7, Admiral Ahsan resigned, in protest, from his position as Martial Law Administrator, and also resigned from his position as the Unified Commander of Pakistan Armed Forces in East Pakistan. He immediately returned to Karachi where he took honorary early retirement from Pakistan Navy, and permanently settled in Karachi. In an article titled A nation's shame published in the Newsline magazine of September 2000, the Admiral Ahsan concluded:
's Headquarter in Dacca, and immediately flew to Karachi, West-Pakistan. Upon Ahsan's return to Karachi, he reported to Naval Combatant Headquarters, NHQ, in Karachi. Therefore, he received honorary retirement from the navy. He permanently settled in Karachi, and did not speak a word during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani Winter war
.
. There, Admiral Ahsan famously made a statement and aptly described the hostile mood of the military leadership when they decided to postpone the assembly session and launch a military operation in the eastern province. Admiral Ahsan publicly stated:
, unity of cultures and race, non-discrimination
policies, therefore, he advised Khan to promote his policies toward the secularism and progressive aspect. Admiral Ahsan rose to be country's second powerful man, with influencing Ayub Khan's major military decisions. Admiral Ahsan also played an influential and major role in Ayub Khan's policy that sidelined hardline Islamist, and diminished their political role in the public society.
However, Admiral Ahsan is most credited for founding Port Qasim
- Pakistan's second port after exploring the coast around Phitti Creek in the 1966 and convincing Mr. Bhutto, President that time, in 1972 to locate the port there. Admiral Ahsan's years immediately preceding his death were quiet ones, and was put out of public eye during his last years. During his last years, Admiral Ahsan learned French
and played bridge
. On December 4, 1989, Admiral Ahsan peacefully died passed away in home during the midnight. He was given an honorary Guard of honor
, and burial with Prime minister Benazir Bhutto, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey
, and Chiefs of Staff of Army, Navy
, and Air Force
, and among others attended his funeral, and is buried at Karachi Military Graveyard.
. The base was given commissioned by Chief of the Naval Staff
Admiral Yastur-ul-Haq Malik
. On 4 August 1989, the main channel of the Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
bears his name, as it known as Ahsan Industrial Terminal. While inaugurating the channel, former Prime minister Benazir Bhutto
acknowledged Admiral Ahsan's as the founder of Port Qasim at a speech on the occasion of the opening of a new terminal at Port Qasim on 4 August 1989.
|-
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, (b. 1921 – d. 1989) was a senior three-star admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
who was the 4th Chief of Naval Staff
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
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 October 20, 1966 to August 31, 1969. A naval intelligence officer by profession, Vice-Admiral Ahsan was integral to the establishment and expansion of the capabilities of Naval Intelligence
Naval Intelligence of Pakistan
The Directorate for the Naval Intelligence of Pakistan, abbreviated as NI, is a staff naval corps and naval intelligence directorate of Pakistan Navy, headquartered in Rawalpindi, Punjab. The NI directly reports to Chief of Naval Staff, and is subordinated to the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan...
and the elite Naval Special Service Group
Special Service Group Navy
The Special Service Group Navy, codename SSG, are the Pakistan Navy's elite principal special operations naval force component. Together with the PAF 312th SS Wing, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines, and Rangers, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command under the joint administrative...
, and took initiatives to modernize the navy. As director-general of Naval Intelligence, Vice-Admiral S.M. Ahsan participated actively in the war and led the Naval intelligence operations during Indo-Pak 1965 September war
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 the most trusted companion of President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and Chief Martial Law Administrator
Chief Martial Law Administrator
The office of the Chief Martial Law Administrator was a senior government post created in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that gave considerable executive authority and powers to the holder of the post to enforce martial law in the country. This office has been used mostly by...
Field Marshal Ayub Khan and was present at every meeting chaired by Khan. Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan rose to be country's second most influential and powerful man during the Ayub Khan's military dictatorship, playing an influential role in Ayub Khan's military and strategic policies in Pakistan. In 1969, after his tenure as Chief of Naval Staff, Chief Martial Law Administrator
Chief Martial Law Administrator
The office of the Chief Martial Law Administrator was a senior government post created in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that gave considerable executive authority and powers to the holder of the post to enforce martial law in the country. This office has been used mostly by...
General Yahya Khan appointed Vice-Admiral Ahsan as Martial Law Administrator of East Pakistan at the request of the former President.
On 1 September 1969, Vice-Admiral Ahsan assumed the command of East Pakistan as Martial Law Administrator with absolute and authoritative gubernatorial and political power
Political power
Political power is a type of power held by a group in a society which allows administration of some or all of public resources, including labour, and wealth. There are many ways to obtain possession of such power. At the nation-state level political legitimacy for political power is held by the...
and military power in East Pakistan. Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan was the supreme commander of the Pakistan Combatant Forces in the Eastern contingent, and served as the Commander of the Pakistan Eastern Military High Command
Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan
The Eastern Military High Command of the Pakistan Armed Forces was a field-level military command headed by an appointed senior 3-star officer, who was designated the Unified Commander of the Eastern Military High Command...
until his resignation, in protest, on 7 March 1971.
Early life and Naval Career
Admiral Ahsan was born and bred in Hyderabad Deccan, IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
(then known as British Indian Empire), to an educated Urdu-speaking family. Ahsan was the first cousin of Royal Indian Merchant Navy Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
Muhammad Syed
Captain Muhammad Jalaluddin Sayeed
Captain Muhammad Jalaluddin Sayeed, is the founding director of Neptune Orient Lines , a Singapore based shipping company. He hold vast experience as a maritime sailor.-Early life:Sayeed was born in December 1920 in Hyderabad Deccan...
. Together with his cousin, Ahsan graduated from the Indian Naval Academy
Indian Naval Academy
The Indian Naval Academy is the initial officer training establishment of the Indian Navy, located in Ezhimala, Kerala. Situated between Mount Dilli and the Kavvayi backwaters, NAVAC has a 7 km beach front on the Arabian Sea. It conducts basic training for all officers inducted into the...
gaining a B.S. in Military science. Later, he passed the university entrance exam, and attended the Osmania University
Osmania University
Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...
as the 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...
funded his education. There, he graduated with a B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in statistics and physics in 1943. He joined the 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....
in 1940 and began his active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
with 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....
as Sub-Lieutenant (Lieutenant Junior Grade) in 1943. After he left Osmania University, Lieutenant Ahsan was posted to 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 Naval Operations Branch, and traveled 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...
. He initially worked as a Weapon Engineer Officer (WEO) at the Royal Naval Engineers
Royal Naval Engineers
The Royal Naval Engineers, a department of the Royal Navy, has existed since 1835.Naval engineers are in charge of the management and upkeep of ship-board machinery...
. In 1945, he became a 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...
and actively participated in 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...
, fighting against Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. As a Lieutenant, he was Executive officer at the Royal Naval Engineers where he played a major role in improving the British Naval electrical and radar systems that were providing key information to the Royal Navy to counter German Navy operations in the English channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
. For his services to the Royal Navy, he was conferred with the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
. He returned to British Indian Empire and continued his services with 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...
. Following his return in 1946, Lieutenant Ahsan was made ADC
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Lord Mountbatten of Burma
Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma
Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas George Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS , was a British statesman and naval officer, and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
as Supreme Commander of the British Indian Armed Forces and assisted him in meetings to resolve crises in the British Indian Empire. At the independence of Pakistan in August 14th of 1947, Lieutenant Ahsan chose to join 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...
and accepted citizenship of Pakistan. He was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and was assigned the position of military adviser to the founder and first Governor-General M.A. Jinnah. Lieutenant-Commander Ahsan was the first person at Jinnah Terminal to receive Mountabattens when they first arrived to Karachi to meet Jinnah.
On 30 September 1949, the PNS Tippu Sultan was commissioned under the command of 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...
PS Evans, with Lieutenant-Commander Ahsan her First Lieutenant. In 1950, he was promoted to 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...
and commanded PNS Tariq and made first goodwill visit to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, along with Tippu Sultan, commanded by Commander Afzal Rahman Khan
Afzal Rahman Khan
Vice-Admiral Afzal Rahman Khan , , was a high profile military official who served as the Interior and Defence Minister under the military government of Field Marshal Ayub Khan...
. Later in 1951, he also commanded HMS Tughril
O and P class destroyer
The O and P class was a class of destroyers of the British Royal Navy. Ordered in 1939, they were the first ships in the War Emergency Programme, also known as the 1st and 2nd Emergency Flotilla, respectively...
for a short time.
Staff Appointments
In 1952, he was promoted to CommanderCommander
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...
and was made the Deputy Director of the Naval Intelligence, and played an integral and major role in formulating the policies and instutitional set up of the Naval Intelligence
Naval Intelligence of Pakistan
The Directorate for the Naval Intelligence of Pakistan, abbreviated as NI, is a staff naval corps and naval intelligence directorate of Pakistan Navy, headquartered in Rawalpindi, Punjab. The NI directly reports to Chief of Naval Staff, and is subordinated to the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan...
and the directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence
Inter-Services Intelligence
The Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence , is Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, responsible for providing critical national security intelligence assessment to the Government of Pakistan...
(ISI). At the end of December 1952, Major-General Robert Cawthome, Director-General of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), sent a priority report to Commander Ahsan, and asked for detailed discussions with Pakistan Armed Forces personnel on the basic principles of the ISI. During this meeting with ISI officials, Ahsan concluded that East Pakistan mustn't be ignored and should be given equal status with West Pakistan. Ahsan feared that not carrying our such actions might result in the partition of East and West Pakistan. In 1958, he was made Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
, and was made staff officer and also served as the principal military secretary to Ra'ana Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of former Prime minister
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
Liaquat Ali Khan
Liaquat Ali Khan
For other people with the same or similar name, see Liaqat Ali Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan was a Pakistani statesman who became the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Defence minister and Commonwealth, Kashmir Affairs...
.
In 1960, he was promoted to one-star rank as commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
, and was situated in the Naval Combatant Headquarters (NHQ) in Karachi. Ahsan established the Logistics Command as Pakistan Navy had suffered logistics
Military logistics
Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...
problems in both East and West Pakistan. He established the Karachi Naval Logistic base, known as COMLOG, and served as its first commander. In 1957, he was made Commander of Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK). As commander of COMLOG, he also supervised other navy-led projects and the construction of Naval Operation Headquarters in Karachi. However in 1961, Ahsan was made Director-General of the Naval Intelligence and established the naval intelligence unit within the navy. In 1964, Ahsan was promoted to the two-star rank of rear admiral and was situated in Ayub Khan's Presidential office. He was the principal military secretary to Ayub Khan, Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
and 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...
at the same time. In a short time, Rear-Admiral Ahsan gained influence on President Ayub Khan and advised him on important military issues. Ahsan attended every meeting chaired by President Ayub Khan and played an major role in Ayub Khan's decisions on military affairs. Ahsan also played an influential role in the establishment of Pakistan's Eastern Military High Command
Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan
The Eastern Military High Command of the Pakistan Armed Forces was a field-level military command headed by an appointed senior 3-star officer, who was designated the Unified Commander of the Eastern Military High Command...
. Ahsan was opposed to any military action against East Pakistan and prevented Khan taking military actions in East Pakistan despite calls for them.
Indo-Pakistan 1965 War
Following the failure of airborne operation, codename Operation GibraltarOperation Gibraltar
Operation Gibraltar was the codename given to the strategy of Pakistan to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of India, and start a rebellion against Indian rule...
, 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...
, India attacked Pakistan and a second war
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...
was fought between India and Pakistan. As Director-General of Naval Intelligence, Ahsan planned the naval operation Operation Somnath at Dwarka
Dwarka
Dwarka also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality of Jamnagar district in the Gujarat state in India. Dwarka , also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country...
and selected the combatant fleet for the operation. The operation met with mixed results but it stopped the Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
raiding Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
. and Pakistan's coastal areas. As director-general of Naval Intelligence, Ahsan collated intelligence reports on the Indian Navy's strategic western naval positions, and orchestrated naval operations against the Indian Navy. In 1965, after the war ended, Ayub Khan awarded him the highest award Star of Pakistan, making him the only naval officer to win the award. He was promoted to three-star-officer rank, a vice-admiral. Ayub Khan personally appointed him as the 4th Chief of Naval
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 on October 20, 1966, nearly a year after the war with India in September 1965.
Chief of Naval Staff
His tenure in command saw the induction of HangorPNS Hangor
PNS Hangor was a Daphné class submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1970 to 2006. She was built by France, and was a type of diesel-electric submarine class. She earned renown, when during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, she sank the Indian Navy's ASW frigate INS Khukri with two Homing...
in the Naval Submarine Service Branch (SSB). As Chief of Naval Staff, he modernized the Pakistan Navy and created an Intelligence circle in the Pakistan Navy. He also expanded the navy's operations throughout the country, and established a well-maintained Naval Intelligence Directorate, directly reporting to him. In 1966, he accepted the recommendation from United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and established the Naval Special Service Group
Special Service Group Navy
The Special Service Group Navy, codename SSG, are the Pakistan Navy's elite principal special operations naval force component. Together with the PAF 312th SS Wing, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines, and Rangers, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command under the joint administrative...
, an equivalent organization to that of U.S. Navy SEALs. He also established the Naval Academy
Pakistan Naval Academy
The Pakistan Naval Academy The Pakistan Naval Academy The Pakistan Naval Academy (formerly known as Pakistan Naval Station Rahbar (PNS Rahbar) is a four-year coeducational federal military academy located in Manora Island, Sindh Province, Pakistan...
in Karachi. As Chief of Naval Staff, he also served as the as Board of Governors
Board of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
of Cadet College Petaro
Cadet College Petaro
Cadet College Petaro is an educational institution from grade 8 to grade 12, in the southern province of Sindh in Pakistan about 20 miles from Hyderabad...
from 1966–1968.
Vice-Admiral Ahsan is also credited with founding Port Qasim
Port Qasim
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim , also known as Port Qasim, is a seaport in Karachi, Pakistan, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. It is Pakistan's second busiest port, handling about 35% of the nation's cargo...
– Pakistan's second port - after exploring the coast around Phitti Creek
Phitti
Phitti is a type of leavened bread baked by Hunzakut People of Hunza, Northern Areas, Pakistan.Preparation involves mixing flour with water, salt, butter and yeast. Other ingredients such as milk can be added depending on personal taste. The dough thus prepared is placed in a metallic vessel called...
, when he was Chief of Naval Staff. He immediately met with then Energy Minister and Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister of Pakistan
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan heads the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The current Foreign Minister is Hina Rabbani Khar who took office as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on 11 February 2011, and as full Minister of Foreign Affairs on 20 July, 2011...
Mr. 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...
where he convinced Bhutto in 1972 to locate the port there. After convincing Bhutto, he supervised the construction and establishment of the port where he set up the main industries and machineries at the Port. The main channel of this port bears his name.
Eastern Military High Command
After he was relieved as Chief of Naval Staff at the end of August 1969, Chief Martial Law AdministratorChief Martial Law Administrator
The office of the Chief Martial Law Administrator was a senior government post created in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that gave considerable executive authority and powers to the holder of the post to enforce martial law in the country. This office has been used mostly by...
and Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
General Yahya Khan appointed him to become the Governor and Martial Law Administrator of 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...
on 1 September 1969, as Ayub Khan had asked his brother to make this appointment. The assignment was considered very difficult by the Pakistan High Military Command, and many senior officers from the Pakistan Armed Forces were reluctant to accept appointments in East Pakistan. The crises in East Pakistan was at its peak and situation was deteriorated under the Military administration of Major-General Muzaffaruddin. By tradition, the Chiefs of the respective Armed services were expected to retired from their services once they had complete their tenure, but in this case Syed Mohammad Ahsan was appointed to the province as a serving uniformed admiral. However, the situation in East Pakistan was at critical point, and Military Government wanted an administrator with a good reputation in the province. Therefore, Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan's service was extended and he was given a command assignment that was considered very difficult. On 1 September 1969, Admiral Ahsan arrived, in his uniform, in East Pakistan and assumed the control of the East. He was also unified commander of the Pakistan Combatant Forces with both political and military powers. As military administrator of East Pakistan, Admiral S.M. Ahsan tried to solve the East Pakistan crisis politically, often meeting General Yahya Khan, and the political leadership of both East and West Pakistan. While he was military administrator, the country had been in turmoil with riots and disturbances in East and West Pakistan against the rule of former President Field Marshal Ayub Khan.
Reasoning with East-Pakistan Disaster
It was in this charged atmosphere that parliamentary electionsPakistani general election, 1970
General elections were held for the first time in Pakistan in on 7 December 1970, although the polls in East Pakistan, originally scheduled for October, were delayed by disastrous floods and rescheduled for later in December and January 1971....
were held in the country
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...
in December 1970. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali nationalist politician and the founder of Bangladesh. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its Prime Minister. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its...
’s People's League was the clear victor having secured more than 39.2% of the seats in the Parliament. The outcomes were a shock to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who ended up with around 18.6% of the seats — all from West Pakistan
West Pakistan
West Pakistan , common name West-Pakistan , in the period between its establishment on 22 November 1955 to disintegration on December 16, 1971. This period, during which, Pakistan was divided, ended when East-Pakistan was disintegrated and succeeded to become which is now what is known as Bangladesh...
. Therefore, Bhutto refused to accept a coalition government led by Prime minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a Bengali nationalist politician and the founder of Bangladesh. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its Prime Minister. He headed the Awami League, served as the first President of Bangladesh and later became its...
which led to the disastrous action by Pakistan Armed Forces in East Pakistan, and the eventual independence of Bangladesh after the Indian invasion in December 1971. Mujib put pressure on the Pakistan Armed Forces, and was aided by an anti-Yahya Khan movement in both contingents. The high military commanders advocated armed action in East Pakistan.
In February of 1971, Admiral Ahsan attended the high level government meeting chaired by Chief Martial Law Administrator
Chief Martial Law Administrator
The office of the Chief Martial Law Administrator was a senior government post created in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia that gave considerable executive authority and powers to the holder of the post to enforce martial law in the country. This office has been used mostly by...
General Yahya Khan. There was another meeting, which Admiral Ahsan described as "tense", where the atmosphere was highly "anti-bengali", with no representation from East Pakistan in the policy and decision-making. Admiral Ahsan opposed any military armed action in East Pakistan, when he was asked on the situation. Admiral Ahsan was the only naval officer in the meeting which was full of Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
and Air Force
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...
's generals. Because of his continuous objections to the planned military plan, Admiral Ahsan became highly unpopular and his counterparts and colleagues called him "difficult" at best and "sold to the Bengalis" at worst. On February 22, 1971, Admiral Ahsan attended the last meeting over the issue of the East Pakistan. And, Chief Martial Law Administrator General Yahya Khan ordered his commanders in Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy, to launch an extreme military action to curb the resistance, despite repeated calls made by Admiral Ahsan to prevent any military operation. Disheartened and isolated by his colleagues, Admiral Ahsan returned to East Pakistan to pick up his personal belongings. On March 7, Admiral Ahsan resigned, in protest, from his position as Martial Law Administrator, and also resigned from his position as the Unified Commander of Pakistan Armed Forces in East Pakistan. He immediately returned to Karachi where he took honorary early retirement from Pakistan Navy, and permanently settled in Karachi. In an article titled A nation's shame published in the Newsline magazine of September 2000, the Admiral Ahsan concluded:
"But who was responsible for creating this hostile atmosphere and hatred among the people? The situation deteriorated further after General Yahya Khan postponed the first session of the newly elected constituent assembly. It became very clear immediately after the election results that the generals were not prepared to transfer power to the Awami League. First the delay in summoning the National Assembly session and later its postponement confirmed the Bengalis' worst fears, that the election results were not acceptable both to the generals and to the majority of West Pakistani politicians. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto publicly called for a boycott of the assembly session. Such a transgression was bound to further fuel public resentment".
Resignation
After returning to East-Pakistan, the Pakistan Armed Forces were already preparing to conduct a military operation to curb the movement. Admiral Ahsan learned that the Central Military government had decided to undertake an operation in East-Pakistan, despite what Admiral Ahsan had recommended in the meeting. When it became apparent and inevitable that an armed operation would take place, Admiral Ahsan resigned, in protest, from his position as Martial Law Administrator and Unified commander of Pakistan Armed Forces in East Pakistan on 7 March 1971, less than three weeks before the military action. Admiral Ahsan did not waste a moment to stay in Eastern Military High CommandEvolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan
The Eastern Military High Command of the Pakistan Armed Forces was a field-level military command headed by an appointed senior 3-star officer, who was designated the Unified Commander of the Eastern Military High Command...
's Headquarter in Dacca, and immediately flew to Karachi, West-Pakistan. Upon Ahsan's return to Karachi, he reported to Naval Combatant Headquarters, NHQ, in Karachi. Therefore, he received honorary retirement from the navy. He permanently settled in Karachi, and did not speak a word during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani Winter 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...
.
Hamoodur Rehman Commission
After the disastrous war, Admiral Ahsan attended a Government Commission, headed by Chief Justice Hamoodur RahmanHamoodur 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...
. There, Admiral Ahsan famously made a statement and aptly described the hostile mood of the military leadership when they decided to postpone the assembly session and launch a military operation in the eastern province. Admiral Ahsan publicly stated:
On arrival in Rawalpindi I was alarmed to notice the high tide of militarism flowing turbulently.... There was open talk of a military solution according to plan , maintained Admiral Ahsan. I was caught quite unaware in this atmosphere for I know of no military solution which could possibly solve whatever crisis was supposed to be impending in the minds of the authorities. It was evident from the statement that the decision to launch a military operation was taken without consulting the governor of East Pakistan who was the only sane voice in the government. Ahsan went on to describe the atmosphere at a crucial high-level meeting in Rawalpindi on February 22, 1971.
The president presided over the meeting of the governors and martial law administrators attended as usual by the military and the civilian officers of the intelligence agencies. It is relevant to record that among the tribe of governors and MLAs I was the only non-army governor and the only active naval officer in the midst of active service men. I was the only person, though a non-Bengali, who had to represent the sentiments of seventy million Bengalis to a completely West Pakistani high command. During the past 17 months, in meetings and conferences, my brief ran counter to the cut-and-dried solutions of West Pakistan representatives and civil servants. The president invariably gave decisions which accommodated East Pakistan's viewpoint, at least partially. This made me unpopular with my colleagues who probably thought I was 'difficult' at best and 'sold' to the Bengalis at worst.
Legacy
After his retirement from Navy, Admiral Ahsan remained one of the notable Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy, with introducing more war programmes and educational programmes for the naval cadets. Because of his respected public image, Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made him the Chairman of the National Shipping Corporation in 1975 which he kept his position in 1976. During the military reign of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, Admiral Ahsan played a major and influential role in Ayub Khan's decision on both political and military affairs. Served as the ADC to Jinnah and Mountbatten, Admiral Ahsan strongly believed in state secularismSecularism
Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries...
, unity of cultures and race, non-discrimination
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
policies, therefore, he advised Khan to promote his policies toward the secularism and progressive aspect. Admiral Ahsan rose to be country's second powerful man, with influencing Ayub Khan's major military decisions. Admiral Ahsan also played an influential and major role in Ayub Khan's policy that sidelined hardline Islamist, and diminished their political role in the public society.
However, Admiral Ahsan is most credited for founding Port Qasim
Port Qasim
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim , also known as Port Qasim, is a seaport in Karachi, Pakistan, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. It is Pakistan's second busiest port, handling about 35% of the nation's cargo...
- Pakistan's second port after exploring the coast around Phitti Creek in the 1966 and convincing Mr. Bhutto, President that time, in 1972 to locate the port there. Admiral Ahsan's years immediately preceding his death were quiet ones, and was put out of public eye during his last years. During his last years, Admiral Ahsan learned French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and played bridge
Bridge (music)
In music, especially western popular music, a bridge is a contrasting section which also prepares for the return of the original material section...
. On December 4, 1989, Admiral Ahsan peacefully died passed away in home during the midnight. He was given an honorary Guard of honor
Guard of Honor
Guard of Honor is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by James Gould Cozzens published in 1948. The novel is set during World War II, with most of the action occurring on or near a fictional Army Air Forces base in central Florida. The action occurs over a period of approximately 48 hours...
, and burial with Prime minister Benazir Bhutto, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey
Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey
Admiral Iftikhar Ahmed Sirohey, NI, SBt, HI, , is a now-retired and senior four-star admiral who was the 10th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 1986 to 1988...
, and Chiefs of Staff of Army, Navy
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...
, and Air Force
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...
, and among others attended his funeral, and is buried at Karachi Military Graveyard.
Honors
For his services and honors, Pakistan Navy, in the honor and recognition of Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan, commissioned an intelligence and naval base on 30 October 1991, known as Ahsan Naval BasePNS Ahsan
The Pakistan Naval Station Ahsan, known as PNS Ahsan, is a Logistics-Intelligence Naval base located in Makran, Balochistan Province. The base is named after legendary naval intelligence officer and former Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan...
. The base was given commissioned by Chief of the Naval Staff
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...
Admiral Yastur-ul-Haq Malik
Yastur-ul-Haq Malik
Admiral Yastur-ul-Haq Malik, NI, SBt, is a retired 4-Star naval officer and 11th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 10 November 1988 to 8 November 1991. He is a recipient of Nishan-i-Imtiaz , which is awarded to all the services chiefs upon taking over their respective commands and...
. On 4 August 1989, the main channel of the Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
Port Qasim
The Port Muhammad Bin Qasim , also known as Port Qasim, is a seaport in Karachi, Pakistan, on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. It is Pakistan's second busiest port, handling about 35% of the nation's cargo...
bears his name, as it known as Ahsan Industrial Terminal. While inaugurating the channel, former Prime minister Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto was a democratic socialist who served as the 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from 1988 until 1990 and 1993 until 1996....
acknowledged Admiral Ahsan's as the founder of Port Qasim at a speech on the occasion of the opening of a new terminal at Port Qasim on 4 August 1989.
See also
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971Indo-Pakistani War of 1971The 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...
- Hyderabadi Muslims
- GolkondaGolkondaGolkonda or Golla konda a ruined city of south-central India and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda , is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad.The most important builder of Golkonda was a Hindu Kakatiya King...
- Hyderabad StateHyderabad State-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
- IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
- Muslim culture of HyderabadMuslim culture of HyderabadHyderabadi Muslims are a community of Urdu-speaking Muslims from the area that used to be the princely state of Hyderabad, India. With its origins in the Muslim Bahmani Sultanate and then Deccan sultanates, the culture became defined in the latter half of the reign of the Nizam dynasty in Hyderabad...
- History of HyderabadHistory of HyderabadHyderabad is an historic city noted for its many monuments, temples, churches, masjids, and bazaars. A multitude of influences has shaped the character of the city in the last 400 years....
for a history of the city of Hyderabad. - Hyderabad (India) for the city.
External links
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