Abdur Rahim Khan
Abdur Rahim Khan was a three-star air officer who served as the last Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force under President Yahya Khan, from 1969 until 1972.
In 1972, Air-Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan along with the Pakistan Army's Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan was prematurely retired from military service over his refusal to use Pakistan Air Force aircraft in Lyallpur to buzz over crowds of police agitation, demanding pay raise. Later he joined the Foreign Service and served as Pakistan's ambassador to Spain till 13 April 1977, when along with General Gul Hassan Khan, who was then the Pakistan ambassador to Greece, he resigned in protest against the rigging of the general elections in 1977.
Early life
Abdur Rahim Khan was born in Rawalpindi, Punjab in India on 25 July 1925. He hailed from a Punjabi Gujjar family.Career in the military
World War II and Pakistan
He joined the Royal Indian Air Force and was commissioned as Flying officer in 1943. He participated in the RIAF's bombing missions against Japan in the Burma theater in World War II.After the independence of Pakistan as a result of partition of India on 14 August 1947, he opted for Pakistan and joined the newly established Pakistan Air Force while taking up the instructor position in the Air Force Academy. In 1950s, he was sent to United Kingdom where he attended the Imperial Defense College and he graduated with a staff course degree. He later went to the United States to attend the staff college and completed a pilot's training on the jet aircraft.
In 1952, he became the first Pakistani pilot to break the sound barrier. Upon returning to Pakistan, he was given the command of No. 11 Squadron, the only squadron equipped with jet fighters. He also commanded the No. 9 Squadron.
His command assignment included his role as commandant of the Air War College and AOC of Masroor Air Force Base in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
In 1965, Air Cdre Khan was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Air Operations and participated in detailing the air operations during the second war with India in which the Pakistan Airforce out performed the Indian Airforce.
Air Commander-in-Chief
On 1 September 1969, Air Commodore Khan was promoted to three-star rank, Air Marshal, and was appointed Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Air Force, serving under President Yahya Khan. During this time, he paid a visit to China to strengthened military relations between two nations.In 1971, Air Marshal Khan led the PAF during the third war with India. He issued directives banning the Bengali pilots flying for the bombing missions after one pilot attempted to defect to India, but the attempt was made unsuccessful by the second pilot.
Air Marshal Khan played a critical and pivotal role in turning over President Yahya Khan's administration and helped Zulfikar Ali Bhutto assuming the presidency on 20 December 1971. Air Marshal Khan became known as the strongest military influence in the country.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Spain
On 11 March 1972, Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan was appointed designate Pakistan Ambassador to Spain. He presented his diplomatic credentials to Juan Carlos I in Barcelona. On 13 April 1977, he resigned his post in protest against allegations of riggings during the general elections held in 1977. He immediately appealed and called for the removal of Prime Minister Bhutto over his undemocratic actions.Death, personal life, and public image
After the military takeover of civilian government by General Zia-ul-Haq, the Chief of Army Staff, Abdul Rahim left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and moved to United States. He bought an estate in Potomac, Maryland in the United States, and lived until his death due to kidney failure on 28 February 1990.Abdul Rahim Khan was married to Princess Mehrunissa Khan, the only child of the beloved but unofficial third queen of the Nawab of Rampur. They got married in London when Rahim Khan was serving as a Group-Captain in the Air Force.
Abdul Rahim Khan was described as "soft-spoken" and was fond of golf, polo, classical Indian music; and he avoided making slighting remarks about his Indian adversaries.
Awards and decorations
| Hilal-e-Jurat ' 1971 War | Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam ' ' | ||
| Sitara-e-Pakistan ' ' | Sitara-e-Khidmat ' ' | Sitara-e-Basalat ' 1957 | Tamgha-e-Diffa ' 1. 1965 War Clasp 2. 1971 War Clasp |
| Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War ' | Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War ' | Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War ' | Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War ' |
| Pakistan Tamgha ' 1947 | Tamgha-e-Jamhuria ' 1956 | 1939-1945 Star | Burma Star |
| War Medal 1939-1945 | India Service Medal 1939–1945 | Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ''' | Order of the Star of Jordan |