Afzal Rahman Khan
Vice Admiral Afzal Akram Rahman Khan (Urdu: افضل رحمان خان; born: 1921— 1983; popularly known as Admiral A. R. Khan), HQA, HPk, HJ, was a Pakistan Navy admiral, politician, and the Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Navy, serving under President Ayub Khan from 1959 until 1966. He is noted for being the longest serving commander-in-chief of navy and was responsible for launching and introducing the submarine program in the navy.
Vice Admiral Afzal Rahman Khan | |
|---|---|
Vice Admiral Afzal Rahman Khan Vardak (1921–1983) | |
| Minister of Defense | |
| In office 12 October 1966 – 5 April 1969 | |
| President | Ayub Khan |
| Preceded by | Ayub Khan |
| Succeeded by | General Yahya Khan |
| Minister of Interior | |
| In office 5 December 1966 – 25 March 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Chaudhry Ali Akbar Khan |
| Succeeded by | Lt.Gen. A. H. Khan |
| Navy Commander in Chief | |
| In office 1 March 1959 – 20 October 1966 | |
| Preceded by | VAdm H.M.S Chaudhrie |
| Succeeded by | VAdm Syed Mohammad Ahsan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Afzal Akram Rahman Khan 1921 Gurdaspur district, Punjab Province, British India (now in Punjab, India) |
| Died | 1983 (aged 61–62) Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Citizenship | British India Pakistan |
| Nationality | British Indian (1921–1947) Pakistani (1947–1983) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | Rashtriya Indian Military College Command and Staff College |
| Civilian awards | Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam Hilal-e-Pakistan |
| Nickname | Gunnery |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Royal Indian Navy (1935–1947) Pakistan Navy (1947–69) |
| Years of service | 1939–69 |
| Rank | Vice-Admiral |
| Unit | Naval Executive Branch |
| Commands | Commander Pakistan Fleet Commander Logistics CO PNS Tariq and PNS Tippu Sultan |
| Battles/wars |
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| Military awards | Hilal-e-Jurat |
Later, he served in Ayub Khan's administration simultaneously as Interior Minister and Defence Minister, until he resigned when General Yahya Khan, Army Commander-in-Chief, enforced martial law in 1969.
Commissioned in the Royal Indian Navy in 1938, Khan served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 in non-combat operations. He earned notability and prestige when he commanded the Pakistan Navy against Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.