Inamul Haque Khan

Air Marshal Inamul Haque Khan (Urdu:إنعام الحـــق خان; May 23, 1927 – August 10, 2017) HI(M), SI(M), HJ, was a three-star rank air force general in the Pakistan Air Force who is known for his role as AOC of the Eastern Air Command of the Pakistan Air Force.

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

After his repatriation in 1973, he continued to serve in the Air Force with distinction, and eventually joined President Zia-ul-Haq's administration where he held many cabinet ministries. He was a prolific poet and writer, and published his memoir, Memoirs of Insignificance, in 1999.

Biography
Inamul Haque Khan was born in Delhi in India, into an Urdu-speaking family on 23 January 1921. He was educated at the Aligarh Muslim University where he attained his BA and MA in English literature and briefly tenured as professor of English at the Zakir Husain Delhi College from 1945–47.

In 1948, he emigrated to Pakistan, following the partition of India, and joined the Pakistan Air Force after seeing an advertisement, and was directed to attend the Staff College. He was graduated in the class of 5th GD pilot course from the Air Force Academy.

He participated well in air war took place in the second war with India in 1965 as Group-Captain (Colonel), earning distinction as an ace fighter. He continued his lectures on English literature, serving in the faculty at the Islamia College.

In 1969, he was promoted to one star rank, Air Commodore (Brigadier), in the Pakistan Air Force and was stationed in East Pakistan. In June 1971, he took over the air command within the Eastern Command from Air Commodore Mitty Masud in 1971. As the war progressed, Air Cdre. Haque was instrumental in getting almost all PAF pilots and their aircraft out of Dacca after the Dhaka Airport was permanently damaged by the Indian Air Force, and had all the air force pilots flew out to Burma. Though, initially thought that the army aviation's evacuation by air was not possible due to the air superiority enjoyed by the IAF, he also provided his expertise to army aviation pilots to take fly out the army helicopters with remaining PAF pilots. He himself, however, stuck to his post till the end of the war and then was taken as war prisoner by Indian Army in 1971.

In 1974, Air Cdre Inamul Haque was repatriated to Pakistan under the agreement signed with India and Bangladesh, and was allowed to continue his service, eventually attaining the three-star rank in the Air Force. Air Vice Marshal (Major-General) Haq had been appointed as the ACAS (Operations) at the Air AHQ, and later commanded as Air Defence Command as its AOC-in-C with a three-star rank, Air Marshal (Lieutenant-General). His command assignment also included as Director General Joint Staff at JS HQ.

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

From 1997–99, he remained part of the cabinet of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but eventually retired. In 1999, he published his memoirs, Memoirs of Insignificance, that recounts his memories in East-Pakistan. Air Masrhal Inamul Haque died of an old age, 90, was ailing for quite some time, and is funeral prayers will be held at PAF Base Noor Khan on August 11 with complete military honour.