1. Malik Nur Khan was a Pakistan Air Force officer, politician and statesman who served as sixth commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Air Force from 1965 to 1969.
42 Facts About Nur Khan
1. 2.
Nur Khan later served as the sixth governor of West Pakistan from 1969 to 1970.
3.
Nur Khan participated in World War II on the side of the United Kingdom and opted for Pakistan as an aftermath of the partition of British India in 1947.
4.
Nur Khan gained nationwide fame and public notability when he commanded and led Pakistan Air Force in the second war with India in 1965 as well as noted for his aerial skills when he participated on Six-Day War on behalf of Arab countries fighting against Israel.
5.
Nur Khan is regarded for his sharp intelligence and outstanding management skills that largely benefited the Pakistan's military and the organizations that he presided over.
6.
Malik Nur Khan was born the son of Malik Mihr Khan, an honorary army captain and Subedar-Major of the British Indian Army in the Tamman town located in the vicinity of Talagang District in Punjab Province, British India on 22 February 1923.
7.
Nur Khan belonged to an Awan family which had a notable military tradition with family roots to the Nawab of Kalabagh, Amir Mohammad Khan.
8.
Nur Khan had been directly commissioned a Viceroy's Commissioned Officer in the rank of Jemedar 1 April 1911 into the 15th Lancers.
9.
Nur Khan served in France and Belgium with the 15th Lancers from 23 September 1914 to January 1916 when the regiment was transferred to Mesopotamia.
10.
Nur Khan was promoted to Risaldar 3 September 1918 and remained in the army when on the 21 September 1920 the 14th Murray's Jat Lancers and the 15th Lancers amalgamated to form the 20th Lancers.
11.
Nur Khan was promoted to Risaldar-Major of the 20th Lancers on 27 May 1927, an appointment he was to hold until 1 May 1928 when he was appointed ADC to the General Officer Commanding, Eastern Command in India.
12.
Nur Khan held this appointment until he retired on the 28 January 1936.
13.
Nur Khan was admitted to the Order of British India 4 June 1935.
14.
Nur Khan had been appointed Honorary Lieutenant 1 August 1931 and the Honorary Captain 1 August 1935.
15.
Nur Khan performed exceptionally well in RIMC where his British principal once noted as:.
16.
Nur Khan is physically fit and should make an officer anyhow, he is the right type.
17.
Nur Khan never attended the university nor received university education instead of gaining commission as a Pilot officer in the No 1 Squadron of the RIAF on 6 January 1941.
18.
In 1946, Nur Khan was made commanding officer of the No 4 Squadron of the RIAF which he commanded until 1947.
19.
Nur Khan served as a F-86 Sabre program director where he oversaw the induction of the jet fighter as he played an influential role in the opposition against acquiring the F-84 Thunderjet.
20.
Air Marshal Asghar Nur Khan resigned from the command of the Air Force as its chief when he cemented conflict of interests issues with President Ayub Nur Khan.
21.
Air Vice Marshal Nur Khan was a populist military figure in the country due to his involvement in sports management and managing-director of civilian Pakistan International Airlines, and his name was included in the nomination papers for the command of the Air Force.
22.
On contrary, Nur Khan never achieved the four-star rank of Air Chief Marshal but was appointed to serve as an air force commander under President Ayub.
23.
In 1965, Nur Khan was appointed Commander in Chief and promoted as Air Marshal.
24.
The outgoing Air Marshal Asghar Khan handed over the ceremonial baton to Air Marshal Nur Khan and did not brief him about the impending operations in Indian administered Kashmir since the latter was not aware of it himself.
25.
Nur Khan led the bombing missions during the war using the C-130 Hercules for that purpose in support of the army advances.
26.
In 1967, Nur Khan volunteered to serve in the allegiance of Arab countries' Air Forces against Israel during the Six-Day War.
27.
Nur Khan served in many aerial missions and witnessed the dogfight with Israeli IAF whose pilots noted his aerial skills during the conflict.
28.
Nur Khan was the Managing Director of Pakistan's national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines from 1959 to 1965.
29.
Nur Khan has been widely recognized to have been a significantly positive impact on the airline, establishing the carrier on firm and profitable financial terms, while keeping it out of the Pakistan's turbulent political arena.
30.
In 1974, Nur Khan was specially requested by the government of Pakistan to resume control of PIA, which further heralded relative success for the airline.
31.
Nur Khan made valuable and tremendous contributions in hockey in Pakistan.
32.
Nur Khan served as president from 1980 to 1984 and in this capacity, he helped win the hosting rights for the 1987 Cricket World Cup with India.
33.
Nur Khan was part of the organising committee of the 1987 World Cup and was credited with bringing some of the World Cup matches to Pakistan.
34.
Nur Khan did not know much about cricket, but his efficiency and vision had a positive effect on the development of hockey, squash, and cricket.
35.
Nur Khan took over the charge of Pakistan International Airlines for the second time in 1973.
36.
Nur Khan gave the Squash World Jahangir Khan, a pure PIA colts product who became the greatest squash player of all time.
37.
In 1969, Nur Khan retired from his military service and his prestige led him to secure an appointment in Cabinet led by President Yahya Khan; but it was short-lived due to his demands for reforms.
38.
Nur Khan's tenure was renewed and his retirement was overturned by President Yahya who appointed him as Deputy CMLA under his administration.
39.
Nur Khan was appointed Governor of West Pakistan on 1 September 1969 who made radical reforms in country's political and educational structure.
40.
Nur Khan supported the devolution of controversial One Unit program and oversaw its termination in 1970.
41.
Nur Khan announced new labour and educational policy to limit the role of politics in the universities.
42.
Nur Khan was later unexpectedly replaced by Lieutenant-General on 1 July 1970 after witnessing the termination of One Unit program and tendering resignation from his renewed term in 1970 over mutual disagreement with President Yahya.