Asghar Khan - Wikipedia

Air Marshal Asghar Khan HPk HQA
اصغر خان
Portrait of Air-Vice Mshl Asghar Khan, 1958[a]
Chairman Tehrik-e-Istiqlal
In office 1 March 1970 – 12 December 2011
Preceded by	Political party established
Succeeded by	Merged with PTI
2nd Commander-in-Chief Pakistan Air Force
In office 23 July 1957 – 22 July 1965
President	Iskander Mirza (1957-58) Ayub Khan (1958-65)
Chief of Staff	Maqbool Rabb (1957-59) M. A. Rahman (1959-64) Mohammad Akhtar (1964-65)
Preceded by	Arthur McDonald
Succeeded by	Nur Khan
President Pakistan International Airlines
In office 23 July 1965 – 23 July 1968
Preceded by	Nur Khan
Succeeded by	Mohammad Akhtar
Other positions Member of the 6th National Assembly In office 21 March 1977 – 4 July 1977 Constituency NA-13 Abbottabad-II NA-190 Karachi-VIII Chief Administrator Civil Aviation Authority and Tourism In office 23 July 1965 – 23 July 1968[2][3] Succeeded by Mohammad Akhtar[4] 9th President Pakistan Football Federation In office January 1961 – August 1965 Assistant Chief of Staff (Air Administration & Personnel) Air Headquarters In office 1955 – 22 July 1957 Assistant Chief of Staff In office 1952–1954 Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Pakistan Air Force In office (acting) 10 September 1951 – 30 September 1951 Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group Royal Pakistan Air Force In office February 1949 – September 1949 Succeeded by G. B. Kelly 1st Commandant RPAF Flying Training School In office 24 August 1947 – September 1948 Preceded by Office Established Succeeded by Nur Khan Chief Flying Instructor Advanced Flying School Ambala In office 1 November 1946 – August 1947 Commanding Officer No. 9 Squadron RIAF In office 28 August 1945 – 30 October 1946 Flight Commander No. 9 Squadron RIAF (B Flight) In office 13 December 1944 – 27 August 1945
Personal details
Born	Mohammad Asghar Khan 17 January 1921 Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)
Died	5 January 2018 (aged 96) CMH Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Cause of death	Cardiac arrest
Resting place	Nawan Shehr, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Political party	Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (2011–18)
Other political affiliations	Justice Party (1969) Pakistan Democratic Party (1969) Tehrik-e-Istiqlal (1970–2011)
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Spouse	Amina Shamsie ​ ​ (m. 1946; died 2023)​ [5]
Children	4, including Omar Asghar Khan and Ali Asghar Khan
Relatives	Aslam Khan (brother) Abaidullah Khan (cousin)
Education	Chief's College, Lahore Prince of Wales RIMC Indian Military Academy No. 1 (I) SFTS No. 1 EFTS, Begumpet Day Fighter Leaders School RAF Staff College, Andover Joint Services Staff College (UK) (BSc) Imperial Defence College (MSc)[6]
Civilian awards	Jinnah Award (2006)[b]
Nickname(s)	Father of the Pakistan Air Force[9] Shaheen-e-Pakistan Night Flyer[10]
Military service
Branch/service	British Indian Army (1940)  Royal Indian Air Force (1940-47)  Pakistan Air Force (1947-65)
Years of service	1940–68[c]
Rank	Air Marshal
Unit	9th Deccan Horse (1940) No. 3 Squadron RIAF (1941-44) No. 9 Squadron RIAF (1944-46)
Commands	RPAF Flying Training School No. 9 Squadron RIAF
Battles/wars	See List: World War II Burma Campaign 1944–1945 Indo-Pakistani conflicts Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 1959 Canberra shootdown Rann of Kutch conflict Dir-Bajaur Campaign (1960-61)
Military awards	See list
Asghar Khan on the oppression under Field Marshal Ayub Khan's regime, just before his official resignation, amidst signs of its imminent collapse. Broadcast 13 March 1969

Mohammad Asghar Khan^[d] (17 January 1921 – 5 January 2018) recognized as the Father of the Pakistan Air Force and known as Shaheen-e-Pakistan and Night Flyer, held the distinction of being the first native and second^[e] Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) from 1957 to 1965. He became the world's youngest Air Vice Marshal at 36 and Air Marshal at 37 years old. Additionally, he was the ninth president of the Pakistan Football Federation, an airline executive, politician, author, and golfer.

Born in Jammu, he studied at the Chief's College, Lahore and the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College. Aspiring to be a pilot, he intended to join RAF College Cranwell, but admissions had been suspended in 1938. He instead enrolled at the Indian Military Academy in 1939, graduating with distinction and commissioning into the British Indian Army in January 1940, with the 9th Deccan Horse.^[f] With the onset of World War II, the Royal Indian Air Force asked for volunteers and Khan transferred in December 1940. Stationed in Hyderabad, Sindh in 1942, he was ordered by Maj. General Richardson to attack a convoy of Hurs traveling with Pir of Pagaro VI. Leading three aircraft, Khan refused upon seeing it consisted of unarmed civilians and returned to base. Richardson threatened him with a court-martial to which Khan replied, "I cannot follow an unlawful command."

F/L Asghar Khan led aerial operations in the Burma Campaign as Flight Commander of 'B' Flight, No. 9 Squadron RIAF. After returning, he considered resigning to support Indonesian independence but was advised by Jinnah to serve Pakistan's future air force. Promoted to Squadron Leader in August 1945, he became No. 9 Squadron's Commanding Officer. While attending the UK's Day Fighter Leaders School in 1946, he earned an 'A' grade and became the first Indian subcontinent pilot to fly a fighter jet, the Gloster Meteor III, on 20 May 1946.

In June 1947, Sqn Ldr Asghar Khan joined a sub-committee led by Allan Perry-Keene to divide British India's defence assets between Pakistan and India. After the Partition in August 1947, Khan and his family planned to travel by train from Ambala to Lahore amid communal violence. Their house was allotted to Wg. Cdr. Nair, who, after Asghar hesitated to request help, contacted Commander-in-Chief Perry-Keene himself. Perry-Keene arranged for a DC-3 Dakota to transport the family to Peshawar. Khan later noted, "Wing Commander Nair did us a good turn and saved our lives," as all the passengers on their intended train were killed.

After becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force in 1957, Asghar Khan played a key role in modernizing the Air Force, founding the Fighter Leader's School, Mauripur (1958),^[g] establishing the PAF Staff College (1959), and inducting advanced aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre, B-57 Canberra, F-104, and C-130. He implemented initiatives such as air staff presentations, sector operations centers, and airfield construction squadrons. Khan also established several PAF stations,^[h] wings, squadrons, and introduced the Inter-Squadron Armament Competition and the Annual Flight Safety Trophy. He installed the first high-powered radar at Badin, established PAF's first printing press, and inducted trainer aircraft like the T-33 and T-37, along with the ground-controlled approach system, enhancing operational and training capabilities.

Born on 17 January 1921 in Tavi, Jammu, into an Afridi Pashtun Sunni Muslim family, Mohammad Asghar Khan was the son of Brigadier Rehmatullah Khan and his fourth wife, Gulam Fatima.^[14] Rehmatullah had a total of 13 children from his first and fourth marriages. From his first wife, he had Aysha Bibi, who died at the age of 12 from an illness, and Colonel Nasrullah Khan. From his fourth wife, Gulam Fatima, his children in order of age were Aslam Khan, Asghar Khan, Major Mohammad Anwar Khan, Pilot Officer Mohammad Asaf Khan,^[15] Cmdr. Mohammad Afzal Khan of the Pakistan Navy, Salma Rehmat,^[i] Squadron Leader Mohammad Khalid Khan,^[j][17][18] Flt Lt Mohammad Tariq Khan,^[k] Shamim Rehmat,^[l] Zarina Rehmat,^[m] and Farooq Rehmatullah.^[n][19][20]

He completed his early education at the Chief's College, Lahore.^[21]

The Maharaja of Kashmir Ranjit Singh, distrusted the Sikh Rajwaras, and hired two distinct groups as bodyguards. One group consisted of Dogras led by Gulab Singh, while the other was a Pashtun group mainly made up of Malikdin Khel Afridis, known for their military skills in the Khyber Pass. This group was led by Sardar Asad Khan and his son, Sardar Samad Khan, who was Asghar Khan's paternal grandfather. After Ranjit Singh died in 1839, internal conflicts among Sikh warlords left these forces without roles. Consequently, they returned to their homelands. Gulab Singh purchased the state of Jammu and Kashmir as a result of the Treaty of Amritsar (1846). Facing resistance from Dogra warlords, Gulab Singh sought help from his Afridi ally, Sardar Samad Khan. Responding to the call, Khan arrived with a substantial force of Afridis and their families. They settled in an area called Haihama, about three miles north of Kupwara. The Afridi men joined various campaigns to suppress Dogra warlords and quelled uprisings in the Yasin Valley, Hunza Valley, and Nagar Valley.^[22] Sardar Samad Khan had seven wives, the last of whom, Asghar Khan's paternal grandmother, was from Yasin. In 1855, Sardar Samad Khan moved from Tirah Valley and eventually settled in Battal-Ballian, near Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, where he lived until his death in 1900. He is buried with his wife in Magarmal Bagh, Srinagar.^[23]

Major General Sardar Samundar Khan, Asghar Khan's paternal uncle, played a key role as the commander of Maharaja Hari Singh's Kashmir Army. His leadership was particularly noted for fostering camaraderie within the first Kashmir Regiment, which under his guidance, constructed a hockey ground at Bunji, about 50 km from Gilgit on a steep hillside, showcasing their dedication. After his military career, Samandar Khan contributed significantly to the Muslim community in his area. As the co-founder^[24] and President of the Anjuman-e-Islamia, Jammu,^[25] he helped establish a girls' high school in Mohalla Dalpattian and secured part of Jammu Fort for a boys' school, transforming it into Islamia High School.^[26][27] Previously, General Samandar Khan held high staff posts under Commander-in-Chief's Raja Ram Singh and later Raja Amar Singh.^[28]

Major General Samundar Khan was known for his generosity, keeping his home open to anyone in need within the Mohalla. His strong influence extended to his interactions with the Maharaja of Kashmir, who showed him "great respect" during his visits to the Durbar. Although he did not have children, he provided care and guidance to his youngest brother Rahmatullah Khan's children.^[26][29]

He married Amina Shamsie in November 1946, while serving as the Chief Flying Instructor at RIAF Station Ambala.^[5] She was the sister of Syed Saleem Shamsie, the husband of Muneeza Shamsie.^[23]

Asghar and Amina had two daughters, Nasreen and Shereen, and two sons, Ali Asghar Khan and Cambridge-educated Professor Omar Asghar Khan, who was murdered under mysterious circumstances two months before the 2002 Pakistani general election, during the regime of General Musharraf.^[30][23]

After Omar's murder, Ardeshir Cowasjee wrote an article in Dawn, stating: "The indefatigable old warrior of our skies is wounded, as sorely wounded as any father of 81 years of age who has tragically lost his eldest son, himself a father, under the most mysterious and peculiar of circumstances, a son endowed with much talent and intelligence with a future before him even brighter than his past. For this great tragedy that has struck him, his endearing wife, and his family, we can but express our most sincere condolences. As an old-time officer and a gentleman to his fingertips, as an honest man of moderate means, and as a man who genuinely wished to do good by the poverty-stricken, uneducated of this country, there was no way, no way at all, that Air Marshal Asghar Khan could succeed as a politician of Pakistan, given the environment, the atmosphere that prevails and the mindset of the majority".^[31]

During Asghar Khan's tenure as chief of the Pakistan Air Force, a PAF officer approached Khan's father, Rehmatullah Khan, seeking a recommendation for a preferred posting. Rehmatullah contacted President Ayub Khan to request that Asghar Khan assist the officer. Ayub Khan complied, but Asghar Khan declined the request. Following this incident, Asghar severed communication with his father for an extended period. Columnist Shahzad Chaudhry reflected on the incident and his principled refusal, stating, "They don't make them like that anymore".^[32]

Asghar Khan was fluent in Pashto, Urdu, and English, though he spoke Punjabi only occasionally.^[23]

In 1933, Asghar Khan saw an advertisement for the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College (PWRIMC) and enrolled after convincing his father who was initially reluctant. In March 1933, he arrived in Dehradun for the interview after being selected. Here, his classmates were Sahabzada Yaqub Khan and Nur Khan, who Asghar Khan became close friends with.^[23] The cadets were divided into three sections, known as Houses. Asghar Khan and Nur Khan belonged to the Rawlinson House, while Yaqub was part of the Kitchener House.^[33] Following six years at the college, Khan was now eligible to take the entrance exam in Delhi to join the Indian Military Academy (IMA). He was among 12 students from the entire Indian subcontinent, including Sahabzada Yaqub Khan and Tikka Khan, who were selected for training.^[23]

Asghar Khan and Sahabzada Yaqub Khan lived in Srinagar and were required to undergo medical examinations at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Sialkot before joining the IMA. Upon reporting to the CMH, they underwent laboratory tests and were examined by Major Puri of the Indian Medical Services. While Yaqub was declared fit, Asghar Khan was informed that he had a serious disease and a limited time to live. He was admitted to the hospital and instructed to limit his physical activities, as exertion could further shorten his lifespan.^[23]

Major Puri estimated that Asghar Khan had only two to three months to live. The laboratory tests revealed high levels of albumin in his urine, which was considered dangerous. Yaqub bid him farewell, and Asghar Khan asked him to inform his father in Srinagar about his condition. Although he felt perfectly healthy, Asghar Khan spent two anxious days in the hospital until his father arrived, accompanied by a doctor from Srinagar and some medical books. These books explained that albumin had once been considered dangerous, but recent studies showed that some members of the Cambridge University rowing team had albumin in their urine, and further research distinguished between two types of albumin: caustic and functional. The caustic type was dangerous, while the functional type was harmless. In Asghar Khan's case, the albumin was determined to be functional. Major Puri, convinced by this information, declared him fit to join the IMA.^[23]

After 1½ years^[f] of training, Khan graduated with distinction and was commissioned into the 9th Deccan Horse of the British Indian Army in January 1940 as a Second Lieutenant.^[34] He initially dreamed of being a fighter pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) and in 1939 tried to transfer just before World War II broke out, but RAF College Cranwell to which he wanted to go first, had accepted only one Indian pilot for training in 1938, and entries were frozen.^[35]

After the outbreak of World War II, the Royal Indian Air Force began inducting personnel again. Khan in pursuit of his dream, was seconded to the air force on 22 December 1940. The training he undertook for the air force started with a short stint at the Initial Training Wing in Walton, Lahore, followed by a three month course in the Elementary Flying Training School in Hyderabad Decan. The first plane he mastered was the Tiger Moth, followed by the Hawker Audax, both biplanes used by the RIAF.^[23] Khan began his air force training at Walton in Lahore, then trained on the Tiger Moth at No. 1 EFTS, Begumpet, and the Hawker Audax in Ambala.^[23]

Asghar Khan was stationed in Hyderabad, Sindh in 1942, where his commanding officer was Flt Lt Om Prakash Mehra. Asghar Khan was ordered by Major General Richardson, the Martial Law Administrator of Sindh, to destroy a convoy of Hurs that was proceeding East with Pir of Pagaro VI.^[36] Mehra ordered Asghar Khan to lead the flight, with Richardson telling them that this was an important mission and he would wait at the airbase for the return of Khan and his pilots. After taking off with four aircraft, Khan came across the convoy but upon seeing them, noticed that they were unarmed men, women, and children. He refused to carry out the order and returned to base without firing a single shot, telling an annoyed Richardson, who threatened him with a court-martial, "I cannot follow an unlawful command".^[37][36]

From 13 December 1944 to 27 August 1945, Flt Lt Asghar Khan served as the Flight Commander of 'B' Flight of the No. 9 Squadron RIAF stationed in Burma during World War II, actively participating in the Burma Campaign (1944-1945), directing and commanding aerial operations against Japanese forces.^[38] After Dalip Singh Majithia fell ill in late February 1945, his former squadron mate, Flt Lt Asghar Khan, flew him to a hospital in Calcutta in a Harvard aircraft.^[39]

Retired Group Captain Michael Patrick Owen Blake reflected on his time with Asghar Khan in the 1940s, stating: "I will always remember Asghar Khan as the Flight Commander of No. 9 Squadron. Nearby, there was an American squadron equipped with twin-boom lightning fighters, and they made the mistake of calling our Hurricanes 'peashooters.' In response, Asghar invited them to a dogfight over the base. Despite being outnumbered two to one, Asghar skillfully got on their tails, and there was nothing they could do to shake him off. The two USAF pilots landed much more subdued than when they took off!"^[40]

Promoted to Squadron Leader, Asghar Khan was appointed Commanding Officer of No. 9 Squadron RIAF on 28 August 1945.^[41] The squadron remained at Ranchi until 16 October 1945, when it left for Calcutta.^[42] Returning to British India from Burma, Khan recalled that President Sukarno called on pilots from around the Muslim world to help Indonesia fight against Dutch colonizers. Feeling disillusioned with bureaucracy and inspired by Sukarno's anti-imperialist campaigns against the Dutch, Khan contemplated resigning from the RIAF to assist Indonesia in their quest for independence. Before making a decision, he walked four miles to Safdarjung Airport to meet Jinnah in November 1945. This was their first meeting and Jinnah advised him to work for the anticipated new country, Pakistan's air force, instead.^[43]

On 12 March 1946, Commanding Officer No. 9 Squadron RIAF Asghar Khan was presented a Japanese samurai sword by Air Marshal Sir Roderick Carr at the airstrip of Gurgaon.^[44][45]

Within that year, Khan attended the Day Fighter Leaders School (UK) and was awarded an 'A' grade as Squadron Commander. While here, he became the Indian subcontinent's first pilot to fly a fighter jet, the Gloster Meteor III, on 20 May 1946.^[46][47]

On 7 June 1947, Sqn Ldr Asghar Khan was appointed to the sub-committee led by Air Vice Marshal Allan Perry-Keene to distribute the defense assets of British India between the proposed states of Pakistan and India. Khan's attachment with No. 9 Squadron RIAF, which he had commanded, was so deep that he insisted the squadron be awarded to the soon to be established Royal Pakistan Air Force, which it was.^[48]

After the Partition of British India, Sqn Ldr Asghar Khan opted for Pakistan and was set to depart with his family from Ambala by train to Lahore on 23 August 1947. The house where he was staying, was assigned to Wing Commander Nair of the new Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). Nair and his wife stayed as guests until Asghar Khan and his wife left. During this time, there were killings of Muslims, but Khan had limited information due to news censorship.^[23]

The region was engulfed in widespread communal violence. The house Asghar Khan had been living in during his posting was allotted to Wg Cdr Nair, following the division of the two countries. Nair and his wife stayed as guests until Asghar and his wife departed. Nair advised Asghar to contact Allan Perry-Keene, the Commander-in-Chief of the RPAF, for an aircraft due to the danger of traveling by train. Asghar was hesitant, feeling it would be unusual for a squadron leader to make such a request. Nair insisted, stating he would contact Keene himself if Asghar didn't. Nair made the call, and Keene agreed. A DC-3 Dakota, carrying Keene's luggage, stopped in Ambala to pick up Asghar and his family, safely taking them to Peshawar. Asghar later remarked, "Wing Commander Nair did us a good turn and saved our lives," as all passengers on the train they originally planned to take were killed.^[23]

A few days before Asghar Khan's departure, Wg Cdr Nair, who was informed about the dire situation in the two new countries, advised Khan not to travel by train due to the ongoing massacres. Instead, Nair suggested that Asghar Khan ask Allan Perry-Keene, the Commander-in-Chief of the RPAF, to arrange an aircraft for their journey. Asghar Khan was hesitant, telling Nair that it would be odd for him, as a squadron leader to make such a request, but Nair insisted he would contact Keene himself if Khan did not.^[23]

Nair called Keene and he agreed. Two days later, a DC-3 Dakota which was carrying Keene's luggage from Delhi destined for Peshawar, arrived for Khan and his family in Ambala. As they flew towards Peshawar, Asghar Khan recalled that he witnessed houses ablaze in almost every village from Ambala to the Pakistani border near Lahore. In his book, My Political Struggle, Khan wrote that these were evidently the homes of Muslims, and this sight created an unforgettable and distressing sight for him. Khan later discovered that all the passengers on the train he initially planned to take had been massacred, and none had survived the journey to Pakistan. Khan recalled, "Wing Commander Nair did us a good turn and saved our lives".^[23]

Following his arrival in Pakistan, Wing Commander Asghar Khan was entrusted with starting up the RPAF Flying Training School from scratch and appointed as its first commandant. He managed to build it to the extent that in a short time it produced as many pilots as could have been trained in British India. On 15 September 1948, he was succeeded by Nur Khan.^[46]

After a 10-day gap in supply drops, a mission was undertaken on the night of 17/18 November 1948, during the First Kashmir War. Wing Commander M. Asghar Khan and Squadron Leader M.J. Khan successfully flew the first hazardous night sortie, leading to further operations that helped prevent enemy advances. Asghar Khan also oversaw the transport of vital equipment, such as a mortar barrel flown from Risalpur to Gilgit. His brother, Major Aslam Khan, played a key role on the ground, and had trained the rebels who defeated the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces in the Battle of Muzaffarabad, earning recognition as a "liberator" of Kashmir and as the Legend of Baltistan.^[48][49]

Group Captain Asghar Khan attended the RAF Staff College, Andover in 1950 and served briefly as the acting Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Pakistan Air Force from 10 September 1951 to 30 September 1951, during AVM Leslie William Cannon's tour of England.^{[46][50][51][52]} In 1952, Khan was selected for a course at the Joint Services Staff College (UK).^[46]

In response to the Communist threat, Gp Capt Asghar Khan, Gp Capt Nur Khan, and Wg Cdr A. Qadir developed an expansion plan for the PAF in March 1954. This plan outlined a ten-year goal from 1954 to 1964, aiming to establish the Air Force with 768 aircraft across 44 squadrons. It included ten day-fighter squadrons, five night-fighter squadrons, six bomber squadrons, one reconnaissance squadron, twelve fighter-bomber squadrons, six tactical light bomber squadrons, two twin-engine and one four-engine transport squadrons, and two maritime squadrons.^[53] Group Captain's Haider Raza and Asghar Khan were both promoted to Air Commodore's on 17 April 1954.^[54]

Air Commodore Asghar Khan met with United States Air Force (USAF) Brigadier William T. Sexton, Chief of the Military Advisory Assistance Group (MAAG) to Pakistan, on 3 August 1954 to discuss equipment procurement for the Pakistan Air Force.^[55]

Along with Agha Hilaly and Sheikh Anwarul Haq, Asghar Khan was chosen to attend the 1955 course at the Imperial Defence College (IDC), which commenced in January of that year.^[56][46] On 19 April 1955, Air Cdre Asghar Khan was among a group of senior officers from the fighting and civil services attending the college, who visited the Barnsley factory of Brook Motors Ltd. This visit was part of a tour of industrial sites in Yorkshire, aimed at providing the officers with insights into various challenges that would be relevant both at the College and in their future assignments.^[57] While at the college, he attempted to learn Egyptian Arabic and tried speaking it with an Egyptian attaché in Pakistan, but was greeted with "helpless laughter", its noted that the language he had studied was not true Arabic but the version used by the British when shopping in the Muskey Bazaar in Cairo.^[58]

In June 1955, Minister of Defence General Ayub Khan, asked Wing Commander S.M. Lanky Ahmad about the most suitable Pakistani officer to become the next Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Lanky responded that as the Defence Minister, Ayub was in the best position to judge. However, Ayub Khan insisted on hearing Lanky's personal opinion. Lanky referred to the seniority list and mentioned three likely candidates: AVM Haider Raza, Air Commodore Maqbool Rabb, and Air Commodore Asghar Khan. He strongly recommended Asghar, who was still actively flying and "very popular." Lanky also noted that Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Bogra had already recommended AVM Raza for the position, and the file was awaiting Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad's approval at the Defence Ministry.^[59]

Air Commodore Asghar Khan was appointed Chief of the Pakistan Air Force by Prime Minister H. S. Suhrawardy on 20 April 1957, set to assume command upon the retirement of Arthur McDonald.^[60] On 23 July 1957, Asghar Khan was promoted to Air Vice Marshal (AVM), became the youngest Air Vice Marshal at 36, and the first native C-in-C of the PAF, succeeding McDonald.^[61][62][63]

The handing-over ceremony took place at PAF Station Mauripur with a lineup of over 100 aircraft, primarily F-86 and T-33 jets, on the tarmac. A guard of honor from PAF Station Mauripur was present for the ceremony. After inspecting the contingent and reviewing the aircraft, outgoing Air Vice Marshal McDonald praised the growing efficiency of the Pakistan Air Force and reflected on its progress over the last ten years. "Thus in ten years," he said, "from small beginnings and starting with extremely meagre resources, the Pakistan Air Force has developed into a small, but efficient and self-contained air force, capable of operating and maintaining the most modern equipment".^{[citation needed]}

In his response, Asghar Khan thanked McDonald for his generous tribute to the PAF's growing efficiency and acknowledged the contributions of the Royal Air Force to the development of the Pakistan Air Force. He further expressed confidence that, as members of the Commonwealth, SEATO, and the Baghdad Pact, their relationship would grow in strength and importance. Continuing, he noted his optimism about the demonstrated enthusiasm and efficiency of PAF personnel and emphasized the strong support they had received from both the government and the nation in building this crucial arm of Pakistan's defense forces.^{[citation needed]}

As chief, Asghar Khan significantly dismissed the notion held by the leadership of West Pakistan, that Bengalis were physically unfit for army recruitment. He abolished this standard in the PAF, arguing that height and chest measurements were irrelevant to combat effectiveness.^[64]

In January 1958, AVM Asghar Khan tasked Wg Cdr Mitty Masud and FS Hussain with training pilots for King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan's visit. Though Hussain did not fly, the Falcons aerobatic team, led by Mitty, set a world record on 2 February with a 16-aircraft diamond loop in F-86 Sabres. The event, attended by 30,000 spectators—including President Iskandar Ali Mirza, General Ayub Khan, Asghar Khan, Air Cdre Nur Khan, Turkish C-in-C Hamdullah Suphi Göker, Iraqi Air Chief Abdul Kadhim Abaddi, and Imperial Iranian Air Chief Hedayatollah Gilanshah and the king—was a success.^[65] Asghar Khan later commended FS Hussain in a letter, praising his expertise and guidance in ensuring smooth operations.^[66]

During a meeting with Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA) Mansfield D. Sprague in Washington, D.C. on 29 April 1958, General Ayub Khan and AVM Asghar Khan discussed military aid to Pakistan. Ayub requested the expedited delivery of a light bomber squadron under the 1954 Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement. When Asghar Khan learned the aircraft would be the B-57 Canberra, he expressed his concerns as a technician, stating it was outdated and unworthy of Pakistani resources. He argued that the B-66 Destroyer or English Electric Canberra's would be better options. Ayub Khan appeared shocked by the back-and-forth discussion, especially as Asghar Khan remained adamant against accepting the B–57 despite assurances of its quality. The meeting concluded with plans for Asghar Khan to visit a U.S. squadron operating B–57s for further evaluation.^[67]

On 27 October, the day of the 1958 Pakistani coup d'état, AVM Asghar Khan was asked by General Ayub Khan to accompany General's Azam Khan, Wajid Ali Khan Burki, K. M. Sheikh, and Bahadur Sher in approaching President Iskandar Mirza to demand his resignation. However, Asghar Khan declined the request, stating that he "found the whole exercise distasteful," including Mirza's abrogation of the constitution, through which he imposed martial law just three weeks earlier.^[68][69]

A few days later, Asghar Khan arrived at the VIP room of PAF Station Mauripur airfield to bid farewell to Iskandar Mirza and his wife Nahid Mirza, who were being sent into exile by Ayub Khan. He found the couple seated on a sofa, with a junior Pakistan Army officer in an adjacent chair, his legs stretched across the table in front of the former President. Asghar Khan told the officer that this was "the height of insolence" and "totally unnecessary," and ordered him out of the room.^[70]

Asghar Khan was promoted to the three-star rank of Air Marshal (AM) on 5 November 1958.^[1] Following the 1959 Canberra shootdown by the Pakistan Air Force, Khan presented a six-page list of recent violations of Pakistan's airspace to a news correspondent in Karachi in May 1959. Some of these violations came from India and in the past month there had also been a significant number of violations by unidentified aircraft over the Gilgit Agency. It was noted that Asghar Khan left the presumption open that the aircraft were Russian bombers on recon flights.^[71]

The first B-57 Canberra of the PAF was piloted by Asghar Khan and landed on 23 November 1959 at PAF Station Drigh Road.^[72] In February 1960, Asghar Khan became the 1,131st recipient of the Certificate of Supersonic Recognition for mach busting after piloting the world's fastest fighter airplane at the time, the F-104 Starfighter. The award was presented to him by Major General Viccellio of the United States Air Force.^[73]

At the 12th SEATO military advisers conference on 25 May 1960, Khan called on members of the pact to keep their guard up. "Conditions in South and Southeast Asia require vigilance from the members of this alliance and we are conscious of the great responsibility that is shared by its members," Khan said.^[74]

The Peshawar Golf Club celebrated its Centenary in 1963 under the leadership of its president, Air Marshal Asghar Khan. To mark the occasion, he invited professional golfer John Jacobs^[75] from Middlesex's Sandy Lodge Club.^[76]

In 1964, Asghar Khan became the first air chief to lead the fly past on the Pakistan Day parade in an B-57 Canberra.^[77]

In the lead-up to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. On 8 April 1965, both nations launched attacks on each other's posts. On 14 April, Air Marshal Asghar Khan called Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh of India—his former colleague from the RIAF—and they agreed to keep their air forces out of the conflict. During this phone call, Khan warned that if the Indian Air Force (IAF) targeted Pakistani ground forces, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would respond as necessary, potentially escalating the conflict. Despite pressure from Indian military leaders to deploy the IAF, Arjan Singh concurred with Khan's stance and refrained from sending the IAF into action. Aware of the PAF's strategic advantages with airfields in Karachi and Badin, Arjan Singh supported this mutual understanding. This agreement helped prevent the use of air power during the early stages of the conflict, despite the rising tensions between the two countries.^[78][79]

Asghar Khan is credited with establishing the following:^[48]

• Fighter Leader's School^[g] at PAF Station Mauripur in June 1958
• Introducing monthly air staff presentations in July 1958
• Establishing PAF Staff College in January 1959, inducting F-86 Sabre's into the PAF along with Nur Khan
• Forming an inspectorate team at AHQ (PAF) in January 1959
• Establishing PAF's first maintenance unit at Drigh Road in January 1959
• Installing the first high-powered radar at Badin and inducting the B-57 Canberra into the fleet of the PAF in November 1959
• Establishing the Ski & Snow Survival School at Kalabagh Nathiagali in 1960
• Forming Sector Operations Center (North) Sakesar in July 1960
• Inducting F-104's in March 1961
• Establishing PAF Station Sargodha and PAF Station Samungli
• Forming No 31/33/34/35 wings
• Introducing ground-controlled approach (GCA) in the PAF in 1961
• Forming Airfield Construction Squadrons in January 1962
• Establishing the School of Physical Fitness and PAF's first printing press
• Inducting T-33 and T-37 trainer aircraft in February 1962
• Introducing the concept of the Inter-Squadron Armament Competition and Annual Flight Safety Trophy
• Establishing the No 3 (Transport Conversion School), No. 7 Squadron PAF, No. 8 Squadron PAF, No. 18 Squadron PAF, No. 19 Squadron PAF, No. 23 Squadron PAF, No. 24 Squadron PAF
• Inducting C-130 into the fleet of PAF in March 1963
• Establishing No 32 Wing in July 1964
• Establishing the College of Aeronautical Engineering (CAE) in March 1965
• Establishing the PAF Model School (now Fazaia) in April 1965.

On 10 January 1961, Asghar Khan was appointed as the ninth President of the Pakistan Football Federation by the control board, which selected him to lead efforts in reorganizing and revitalizing the federation's activities.^[80] Asghar Khan resigned as President in August 1965 after serving in what was described as a "praiseworthy manner".^[81][82]

Asghar Khan was initially uninterested in taking on any government position, expressing his desire for retirement and reluctance to engage in employment. However, President Ayub Khan insisted that he continue his service but as the Head of the Civil Aviation and Tourism. Despite his efforts to dissuade Ayub, he remained firm in his insistence. After extensive discussions and debates, Asghar Khan eventually agreed to the president's suggestion. He communicated his willingness to temporarily hold the position until a suitable replacement for the PIA could be found. Asghar Khan continued serving in his rank of Air Marshal and dedicated his skills to enhance the airlines performance and ensured its success during his tenure.^[83]

After assuming this position, Asghar Khan moved to a larger residence in Karachi, which allowed him more time to enjoy his favorite sport, golf. It was observed that the serene environment of the golf course might have inspired some of the policies now evident in PIA. To promote similar recreational activities, Khan planned the development of additional golf courses in Pakistan, and he had already increased the domestic baggage allowance to accommodate golf equipment. In his role as head of the national tourism organization, Asghar was also tasked with improving recreational facilities across the country. His responsibilities in tourism were balanced with his duties as executive head of PIA and his third major role as the chief administrator of Civil Aviation. All of these positions were under the Ministry of Defence. Given his prior experience on PIA's board of directors, these roles were not as unfamiliar to him as he humbly suggested. Asghar Khan quickly began strengthening PIA's organizational structure, aligning it with changes he was implementing in the other organizations he oversaw. His main base of operations was his office at Karachi Airport, where he delegated much of his authority to senior staff members.^[84][85]

Before Asghar Khan's appointment, his brother, Afzal Khan, who was a former Commander in the Pakistan Navy and the owner of a dairy company, had a lucrative contract to supply Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which accounted for 50% of Afzal's profit. Asghar Khan canceled this contract upon taking over, citing that it was not ethically acceptable to him for his brother to make money while he was the head of the airline.^[83][23]

During a news conference in Karachi on 11 May 1967, Air Marshal Asghar Khan announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had become the fifth largest profit-making airline in the world, carrying one million passengers annually.^[86] At a press conference held at the PIA headquarters in Karachi in July 1967, Asghar Khan announced plans for the construction of a series of small hotels in major cities and resort areas across the country, with a total investment of PKR 44.5 million (approximately $9,345,000). The project included building 64-room hotels in Sylhet, Sargodha, Sukkur, Mohenjo-daro, Chitral, Gilgit, and Kaptai, and 88-room hotels in Khulna, Lyallpur, Multan, and Murree, with an additional 20 cottages attached to the new 644 room Kaptai Hotel. Furthermore, Peshawar and Chittagong will each have hotels with 125 rooms.^[87][88]

The PIA Pavilion for the Pakistan Golf Federation was opened by Air Marshal Asghar Khan on 26 March 1968, and is now the Clubhouse of Islamabad Gymkhana Club.^[89]

Asghar Khan officially transferred control of PIA to Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Akhtar on 23 July 1968, after going on leave on 7 May. The airline, which had achieved eight consecutive years of profitability under both Asghar Khan and his predecessor, Air Vice Marshal Nur Khan, expanded its routes during Asghar Khan's tenure, to new destinations including Paris, Istanbul, Nairobi, and Bangkok.^{[90][4][91][92]}

After retiring from the airline, Asghar Khan lived quietly at his home in Abbottabad. Before being imprisoned by Field Marshal Ayub Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto approached Asghar Khan, asking him to join his party, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Asghar Khan declined, stating he had no interest in politics. Bhutto then confided, "Ayub will have me killed through the Nawab of Kalabagh". In response, Asghar Khan assured him, "If Ayub arrests you, I will publicly protest on your behalf". After Bhutto's arrest on 13 November 1968, Asghar Khan held a press conference in Lahore on 17 November,^[93] where he openly criticized Field Marshal Ayub Khan. During his speech, Khan remarked, "graft, nepotism, corruption, and administrative incompetence are affecting the lives and happiness of millions. Social inequality and economic disparity are increasing. Telephones are tapped, opinion is shackled, the opposition is shadowed and jailed, and no one can express his views fully". When asked by reporters about his role as chief of the air force when General Ayub Khan staged his coup in 1958, Asghar said "I had a job to do, to run the Air Force and I continued to do this until my retirement. It wasn't a question of supporting any one".^[94]

The following week, Khan told The Times, "at present the whole structure stinks. It is not a healthy system, there is no criticism. The press is completely suppressed, there is no check on the government. We are bordering on a police state". Asghar Khan led protests calling for Bhutto's release, which ultimately led to his freedom and grew so close to Bhutto that many saw him as a potential successor.^{[95][96][97][23][98][99][100]}

Asghar Khan formally requested written permission to meet Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in jail to discuss the political situation in the country. In a letter on 9 December 1968, he referred to a previous phone conversation with the Home Secretary on 3 December, during which he requested a private meeting with Bhutto. However, he was informed that a meeting without a police official present would not be allowed. Asghar Khan emphasized that the presence of a police official would defeat the purpose of the meeting. He added that if the government could not permit a private meeting "despite the deteriorating situation in the country," he would in any case "like to call on Mr. Bhutto in jail."^[101]

Asghar Khan began his 11-day tour of East Pakistan on 11 December 1968. At an Iftar gathering held at Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence at Dhanmondi 32, on the evening of 12 December, Khan revealed that he sought permission to meet Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was in military custody.^[102] Criticizing President Ayub Khan's comments about the substantial funds allocated for East Pakistan's redevelopment, Asghar Khan remarked, "It was a colonial approach." He explained that during British rule, "our rulers used to make frequent repetitions of what they (the British) had done for this subcontinent to convince the people that they were here in the interest of the people of this land." Describing this as an "outdated colonial approach," he emphasized that East Pakistan must receive an equal share in all national matters—whether economic or political.^[103]

On 15 December 1968 at a rally in Dacca, Syed Mahbub Murshed and Asghar Khan announced their full support for the "legitimate interests" of both East and West Pakistan, advocating for the fullest possible autonomy for East Pakistan.^{[104][105][106]} Two days later, Asghar Khan was charged by the Government of Pakistan for unlawfully inciting a crowd to assemble.^[107] On 29 December, Asghar Khan visited Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who was imprisoned in Sahiwal Jail.^[108]

Asghar Khan renounced his Hilal-e-Pakistan and Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam awards on 29 January 1969, in protest against President Ayub Khan's regime—which was described as an unprecedented move for an Air Marshal.^[109][110] Asghar Khan rose to the status of a national hero and was often referred to as the "President-in-waiting". Even the government-controlled press under President Ayub Khan regarded him as a potential successor.^[111] In diplomatic and other discussions, Asghar Khan and Air Vice Marshal Khyber Khan were considered among the likely successors to President Ayub Khan during the collapse of his regime.^[112]

After Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had been released from house arrest in February 1969, he came to visit Asghar Khan and again extended an invitation to join his party, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). However, Khan expressed disinterest, stating that he had no intention of entering politics. When Khan inquired about the party's agenda, Bhutto laughed and looked to his entourage and remarked, "Look at how simple this man is". He then said, "The people are fools; we will deceive them. We will be in power for 20 years, the danda (stick) will be in our hands, and no one will be able to remove us". Asghar Khan replied, "From this day forward I will be in opposition against you". Bhutto replied, "Go ahead, you will see that I am right".^{[113][114][23]}

Asghar Khan formed the Justice Party (JP) on 13 March 1969.^[115] In terms of social justice and economic policies, it was characterized as a left-oriented party, while in its approach to Islamic values, it aligned more with right-wing principles.^[116] The first to join the party were veteran Muslim Leaguers such as Mian Bashir Ahmad and his wife, along with Saeed Enver, a former member of the All-India Muslim League's Working Committee. They were soon followed by Sheikh Khalid Mahmood, the General Secretary of the Kashmir Liberation Movement, Mian Manzar Bashir, a prominent member of the Council Muslim League, Rahim Bux Soomro, and two notable leaders of the Urdu-speaking community, Hafiz Mubarik Ali Shah and Khalid Bin Jaffar, who joined alongside their entire groups.^[117][118]

Abu Hisham, a leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Al-Fatah met with Asghar Khan in June 1969 and explained to him the activities of the organization. Khan assured Abu Hisham of full support from himself and his party, saying that he would be ready to visit any place to give any advice or help to the Palestinian militants. Hisham thanked Khan for the assurance of cooperation and support.^[119]

The Justice Party merged into the Pakistan Democratic Party (PDP) on 24 June 1969, which elected Nurul Amin as its chairman.^{[120][121][122][123]} In this capacity, Asghar Khan was appointed as the Chairman of the Manifesto Committee. Mushtaq Ahmed, author of the book Politics Without Social Change, noted that "He (Asghar) was already an author of a manifesto issued earlier by the Justice Party, which was sufficiently radical, to raise hopes that the draft would be influenced by his thinking".^[124]

Asghar Khan launched his political party, Tehreek-e-Istiqlal (Movement for Solidarity) on 1 March 1970.^[125]

Ahead of the 1970 Pakistani general election, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Asghar Khan were among several leaders who declared that, if elected, they would reclaim Indian-administered Kashmir by force.^[126] Khan ran for a seat in the National Assembly of Pakistan in the election, with NW-26 Rawalpindi-I as his constituency, he thought its large voting population, connected to the armed forces, would value the contributions of the former Air Marshal. He was the runner-up with 28,209 votes.^[127][128]

The New York Times reported that Asghar Khan offered a conciliatory program focused on major development efforts in East Pakistan and genuine political freedom for its people, but it was completely censored. On 8 October 1971, he announced his withdrawal from the by-election, stating that no candidate could run unless they had access to the press to reach the public. "Today is a black day for democracy in Pakistan," he said, "when even I, with a mild program breaking no martial-law regulations, am frozen out". After the Pakistan Army occupied East Pakistan and banned the Awami League, the election was effectively annulled. Some elected assemblymen were cleared by the army to take their seats, but most had fled to India or joined the guerrillas.^[129]

Throughout his life, he opposed the dictatorial and autocratic regimes of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, President Yahya Khan, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, General Zia-ul-Haq and Zia's protégé Nawaz Sharif, and General Musharraf.^[130][131]

In 1971, Asghar Khan spearheaded protests demanding the release of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from prison and was one of the 42 signatories in November 1971, including Faiz Ahmed Faiz, urging President Yahya to release him.^[132] He actively campaigned in East Pakistan where he was very popular, advocating for Bengali rights before^[133] and after the 1971 War.^[134] Additionally, Asghar Khan demanded for a public trial of Yahya Khan for his role in the Bengali genocide.^{[135][136][137][138]} In January 1972, Asghar Khan was the first to call for Pakistan's recognition of Bangladesh, a move that led President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to branding him as a traitor.^[132] Ayub, Bhutto, and General Zia-ul-Haq notably placed Asghar Khan under house arrest, with his detention under General Zia lasting 1,603 days.^[139]

In March 1972, Asghar Khan had described President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as, "a living Yazid".^[140] On 10 July of that year, Zulfikar sent Ghulam Qadir Bhutto with 70 armed men who seized and looted Khan's 242 acre farm in Sukkur at 10:30am,^[141] a matter later denied in the Sindh Assembly by Zulfikar's cousin, the Chief Minister of Sindh Mumtaz Bhutto. A few weeks later, Khan's house in Abbottabad was burned down, garnering significant public attention. Despite a police investigation, the findings were never disclosed, and Khan's family was forced to live in a stable.^{[142][143][144]}

While addressing members of the Peshawar Bar Association on 6 November 1972, Asghar Khan accused Bhutto of allowing Pakistani Prisoner of War's of 1971 to remain in India so that he could use their return to his advantage in the next elections.^[145] On 30 November 1972, Asghar Khan was attacked by the police and wounded while he was on his way to Multan to investigate the death of a student in a demonstration.^[146]

The Pakistan Times was ordered by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to air propaganda and "expose" Asghar Khan. However, as the campaign developed, Bhutto called it off saying he didn't want a full-scale campaign against Khan because "that will be stupid and give him importance and blow him up", instead he directed that Khan should be "exposed surreptitiously and casually, without building a media campaign against him." In another attempt, he desired that Khan should be portrayed as a "joker" so that the people should learn through the press "that we have a clown in our midst." Asghar Khan was therefore spared from an orchestrated campaign although like other opposition leaders, he was continuously subjected to character assassination and slanderous attacks by the media. On occasion, false and fabricated reports were planted in the press about him.^[147]

Khwaja Mohammed Rafique, a prominent politician who was the president of the right-wing Pakistan Unity Party, former chief of the Pakistan Democratic Party, and the father of Khawaja Saad Rafique, was fatally shot by unidentified attackers in Lahore on 20 December 1972. He was on his way home after participating in a procession organized by Tehreek-e-Istiqlal (TI), which was led by Asghar Khan. The demonstration, protested primarily against inflation and was held to mark a "black day" on the first anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's presidency.^[148] Khan described Rafique's "murder in broad daylight, under the very nose of the police", as a "shocking act of gangsterism," and accused the Government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of aiding and encouraging armed hooligans.^[149]

In 1974, Asghar Khan suggested that Pakistan form a defence pact with China in order to combat a potential nuclear threat from India.^[150]

Asghar Khan was detained by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Federal Security Force (FSF) on 1 December 1974. This occurred because Bhutto, who was on a political tour, wanted to prevent Asghar from holding rallies.^[151] In response, Tehrik-e-Istiqlal threatened to organize demonstrations at Pakistani embassies worldwide to protest the unlawful detention of their leader. On 17 December 1974, Ahmad Raza Khan Kasuri informed the National Assembly that Asghar Khan had been forcibly confined in a house in Hyderabad, Sindh for the past four days, with 100 security personnel surrounding the premises.^[152][153]

Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto announced on 7 January 1977 that new elections would be held on 7 March. In preparation, Khan was instrumental in organizing the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA), a group of parties opposed to Bhutto and his government.^[154]

During discussions, it was concluded that the opposition parties were too divided to present a united front against the People's Party. Asghar Khan was approached by Sardar Sherbaz Khan Mazari and Professor Abdul Ghafoor Ahmed to join the United Democratic Front (UDF) but declined due to previous negative experiences with alliances. Despite efforts, Asghar Khan and Maulana Noorani only agreed to meet other UDF leaders. They set conditions for joining that mainly concerned the allocation of seats. Bhutto aimed to prevent Asghar Khan from gaining a leadership position within the opposition alliance, eventually securing Mufti Mahmud as the head of the PNA. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his advisers were overly confident, believing there was no threat in any alliance that wasn't led by Asghar Khan. In their view, any such alliance was insignificant compared to the PPP.^[155]

In preparations for the election, Asghar Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, traded barbs with each other, with Asghar calling him a rat from Larkana who "could not recite a single verse from the Quran and yet claimed to be a good Muslim". Khan further attacked Bhutto by saying, "With full responsibility I say that Bhutto is not a Muslim. In Peshawar, I challenge him that if he offers the Namaz on T.V. within ten days, I shall retire from the contest. Since 1 February, Maulana Ehtisham ul Haq Thanvi, has been teaching him Namaz, but he has not been able to learn it".^[156]

Asghar Khan attracted massive crowds during rallies leading up to the 1977 Pakistani general election, with the BBC reporting that over 1.6 million people attended his rally in February of that year. In March, Khan won the election in NA-13 Abbottabad-II with 35,711 votes and in NA-190 Karachi VIII with 44,252 votes, securing a seat in the 6th National Assembly.^{[157][158][159]} He had contested the election in multiple constituencies, including NA-1 Peshawar,^[160] NA-38 Rawalpindi, and NA-12 Abbottabad, finishing second in all three with 34,040, 40,037, and 26,954 votes, respectively.^{[161][162][163]}

Following the riots after the 1977 elections, which the opposition widely stated were rigged,^[164] widespread protests erupted across Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of 85 people and the imposition of martial law by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Asghar Khan, who was imprisoned shortly after, refused^[165] to leave jail until Bhutto resigned, all political prisoners were released, and the government lifted a seven-year state of emergency.^[166][167]

On 12 May 1977, Bhutto charged Asghar Khan with high treason during a speech in the National Assembly.^[168]

While imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Asghar Khan read a newspaper report about a Pakistan Army Major who had executed a boy for making a V sign towards him on 21 May 1977, during the Martial Law imposed by Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. This incident prompted him to write a letter condemning the army's actions and urging officers to discern between lawful and unlawful commands amid Bhutto's severe crackdown on nationwide protests against the rigged March 1977 elections. His remarks were misinterpreted as a call for military intervention.^[169][170] Two months later, General Zia-ul-Haq would carry out the coup that overthrew Bhutto's government. Asghar Khan was seen as a possible successor to President Zia-ul-Haq after he promised to restore to a civilian government in 1979.^[171]

In September 1979, President Zia-ul-Haq placed Asghar Khan under house arrest. He was released on 18 March 1980 by the courts. Following this, Khan called for the overthrow of President Zia, and referred to him as "a usurper who led a ruthless junta which ruled by deceit and lies... General Zia and army rule must be replaced. Zia has no intention of letting democracy function. Any general who might replace him will be the same... As long as this junta remains in power, this country suffers".^[172][173]

Police in Karachi filed charges against Asghar Khan for calling for the overthrow of the government on 7 May 1980. He was released on 29 May but expelled from Karachi and arrested again upon arriving in Peshawar. The provincial government announced his detention without providing any reason, and he was denied access to a lawyer until 26 June. Initially held at his Abbottabad home, he was moved to Dadar sub-jail on 6 August, where he remained in solitary confinement until 3 October. Due to his worsening health, he was transferred back to Abbottabad and treated at the local military hospital, where his immediate family was allowed to visit him. By late 1981, he remained in detention under Martial Law Order 78, and Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.^[173]

General Zia-ul-Haq amended the constitution to block any legal challenges to his military courts and martial law government on 29 May 1980.^[174] Opposition party leaders, including senior members of Asghar Khan's Tehreek-e-Istiqlal were arrested under Martial Law Order No. 78 on 5 August 1980.^[175][176]

Governor of Sindh Lt. Gen. Jahan Dad Khan, appointed in the martial law government of General Zia-ul-Haq, imposed a 30-day ban on Asghar Khan's entry into Sindh effective 14 October 1984. Asghar Khan had planned to start an eight-day tour of Sindh from Sukkur on 20 October, and then travel to Quetta and Punjab. Consequently, he revised his itinerary to visit various cities in the North-West Frontier Province at the end of October instead.^[177]

In 1985, Asghar Khan warned that Pakistan's emerging drug mafia could influence the upcoming Pakistani general election if precautions were not taken.^[178]

A few days before the Death of Zia-ul-Haq, Asghar Khan joined forces with Benazir Bhutto in August 1988.^[179] Asghar Khan was the runner-up in the 1990 General Election for the National Assembly seat NA-95 (Lahore) receiving 39,585 votes, losing to Nawaz Sharif.^[180] The election results were heavily influenced by rigging, with Nawaz securing victory through the support of President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Generals Aslam Beg, Hamid Gul, Asad Durrani, and the ISI, who worked to buy the loyalties of various politicians.^{[181][182][183][184][185]}

Throughout his reign, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto tried to have Asghar Khan, Ghulam Mustafa Khar,^[186] Shah Ahmad Noorani, and Sherbaz Khan Mazari assassinated.^[187]

On 23 May 1973, passengers including Asghar Khan, who had boarded a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight at Quetta Airport, were instructed to disembark and identify their luggage. One suitcase went unclaimed. Khan was informed that this procedure was implemented due to reports that a suitcase containing a bomb had been loaded onto the aircraft. The suitcase was neither opened nor inspected in the presence of passengers and despite widespread media coverage of the incident, the government provided no explanation.^[23][188]

On 26 July 1973, Asghar Khan's vehicle was chased by armed men in a jeep and two trucks. One of the men fired shots at Khan. Shortly afterwards, the press discovered that the jeep was registered in the name of Inspector General Sindh Police, Chaudhary Fazal-e-Haq.^[23]

A reception was arranged at the Lahore railway station for Asghar Khan who was passing through Lahore on Pakistan Day 1975. The Federal Security Force (FSF) arranged for a bomb to be planted in the train, agent Riaz was caught red handed by the police but the FSF had exerted so much pressure that he ended up getting released.^[189]

Asghar Khan's Tehrik-e-Istiqlal (TI) was among three parties who merged to form the Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP) led by his son, Omar Asghar Khan, on 4 December 2001.^[190]

On 25 October 2003, as President of the Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP), Asghar Khan met with renowned Indian peace activist Nirmala Deshpande, who was accompanied by Abdul Rashid Shaheen, a member of the Lok Sabha from Baramulla, and Pakistani MNAs Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed and Qamar Zaman Kaira. He welcomed their visit and underscored the importance of such exchanges. He also praised Deshpande's efforts in fostering people-to-people connections and expressed hope that both governments would respond positively.^[191]

He welcomed the Indian government's 12-point announcement, calling it a step toward reducing tensions between the two nuclear rivals in South Asia. He expressed hope that such initiatives could build confidence between India and Pakistan and make travel between the two countries easier. However, Khan reiterated his long-held position on Kashmir,^[192] advocating for its independence with both India and Pakistan sharing responsibility for its defense. He stressed that without sincere efforts from both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue, any improvement in relations would be short-lived.^[191]

Asghar Khan wrote several books throughout his life and was the chief patron of the Defence Journal in Pakistan.^[193]

In July 1998, Asghar Khan was among 63 retired Pakistani (including Nur Khan and Saeedullah Khan), Indian, and Bengali armed forces personnel who signed an agreement urging Pakistan and India to refrain from developing nuclear weapons. Instead, they advocated for limiting nuclear research and development strictly to peaceful and beneficial purposes. They also called for Pakistan and India to resolve their disputes through peaceful means and address their real problems of poverty and backwardness, rather than wasting their scarce resources on acquiring means of destruction.^{[194][195][196]}

Asghar Khan launched his book, "We've Learnt Nothing from History —Pakistan: Politics and Military Power", on 1 July 2005 at a ceremony in Karachi. Others in attendance included Sherbaz Khan Mazari, Ardeshir Cowasjee, and Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.^[197]

On 20 April 2009, at a ceremony held at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, the Jinnah Society posthumously awarded the 2007 Jinnah Award to Ahmad Ali Khan, former Chief Editor of Dawn, while the 2006 award went to Asghar Khan, in honor of his 'exceptional contributions to democracy and human rights in Pakistan.'^[8][7]

In his acceptance speech, Asghar Khan began by expressing gratitude to the ceremony's organizers for the award. He then addressed the societal challenges that deviated from Mohammad Ali Jinnah's vision for the country: "What we have done since 1948 is not the vision of the Quaid. It has rapidly led us to civil war. The United States and (General) Zia played a major role in mobilising the youths of the NWFP against the Soviets. The results can be seen today.. Pakistan has been led at different times by acknowledged criminals."^[8]

He further advocated for reducing the national defense budget, stating, “The criminal misuse of Pakistan's natural resources has cost Pakistan dearly. We must have a close look at our defence expenditure.” Khan was openly critical of the country's nuclear program, remarking that it had “endangered Pakistan's very survival.” Interestingly, Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas was present in the audience.^[8]

After the Killing of Osama bin Laden in Asghar Khan's hometown of Abbottabad in 2011, Khan told Newsweek Pakistan, “I was surprised. I don't think anyone knew about it, but they should have known. Here was this man living inside the cantonment and not a soul had a clue. Arabs in the middle of Abbottabad! Yet, no one knew for five or six years. The level of incompetence is fantastic.”^[114] A year later, when Newsline asked him again about the incident, Khan replied “That was a very odd thing that happened, odd that nobody knew about it. I wonder what is taking the commission [investigating the incident] so long.” And what of Memogate? “I don't understand what's going on.”^[37]

On 20 October 2011, at the launch ceremony for Imran Khan's book, Pakistan: A Personal History, Asghar Khan took the podium and stated:

"In the last over 60 years, India has never attacked Pakistan, as it can't afford it. Indians know well, if Pakistan is destroyed, they will be the next target, It was made our problem that one day India would invade us. But we did so four times and the first attack was on Kashmir, where Maharaja was not prepared to accede to India for he wanted to join Pakistan and waited for this for 21 days...Indian forces came to East Pakistan when people were being slaughtered there. Moreover, again at Kargil, Indian never mounted an assault."

He further remarked that the majority in Pakistan voted for corrupt politicians, as they too sought to have their work accomplished "by hook or by crook". He recalled his dismay upon learning years prior that, in Punjab, 20,000 individuals with criminal records had been recruited into the Punjab Police, while a significant number of dacoits were hired into the Sindh Police.^[198]

Asghar Khan merged his party, Tehrik-e-Istiqlal (TI), with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 12 December 2011 and announced his full support for Imran Khan and his party. He praised Imran for his efforts, endorsing him as the last hope for Pakistan's survival. Asghar stated, "There is panic all around the country. The price hike is touching the skies. The country's economy is on the verge of collapse. People want change, and the PTI is the only party that can provide that".^[199][200]

• Mohammad Asghar Khan (1969). Pakistan at the Cross Roads. Karachi: Ferozsons. OCLC 116825.
• The First Round, Indo-Pakistan War 1965. Sahibabad: Vikas. 1979. ISBN 0-7069-0978-X.
• Generals in Politics. New Delhi: Vikas. 1983. ISBN 0-7069-2215-8.
• Islam, Politics, and the State: The Pakistan Experience. Zed Books. 1985. ISBN 0-86232-471-8.
• The Lighter side of the Power Game. Lahore: Jang Publishers. 1985. OCLC 15107608.
• We've Learnt Nothing from History. Karachi: Oxford University Press. 2005. ISBN 0-19-597883-8.
• My Political Struggle. Karachi: Oxford University Press. 2008. ISBN 978-0-19-547620-0.
• Milestones in a Political Journey. Islamabad: Dost Publications. 2009. ISBN 978-9694963556.

• Mohammad Asghar Khan (1969). Shaheen-e-Millat. Lahore. OCLC 11262262.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
• Sada-i-Hosh. Lahore: Jang Publishers. 1985. OCLC 14214332.
• Chehray nahi Nizam ko Badlo. Islamabad: Dost Publications. 1998. ISBN 978-9694960401.
• Islam – Jamhooriat aur Pakistan. Islamabad: Dost Publications. 1999. ISBN 978-9694960852.
• Ye Batain Hakim Logon Ki. Islamabad: Dost Publications. 1999. ISBN 978-9694960876.

At the age of 96, Asghar Khan died at 6:00am PKT on 5 January 2018, at CMH Rawalpindi from Cardiac arrest.^[201]

He had been admitted to intensive care on 30 December 2017 after his health deteriorated; he had been suffering from acute respiratory infection, dementia, and ischemic heart disease. He was honored with a state funeral by the Government of Pakistan which was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, CJCSC Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Federal Ministers, several former chiefs of the Pakistan Air Force, ambassadors, diplomats, war veterans, senior civil officials, and a large number of people from all walks of life. Afterwards, the coffin was transported via helicopter to the family's native village of Nawan Shehr, where Asghar Khan was buried beside his son Omar Asghar Khan.^{[202][203][204]}

A formation of four K-8 Karakorum's and four T-37 Tweet's from the PAF Academy presented a fly past in honour of Asghar Khan, flying the missing man formation.^[205]

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan shared his condolences on Twitter: "Saddened to learn of Air Chief Marshal Asghar Khan's death early this morning. He transformed the PAF and was a man of steadfast principles and integrity. My prayers and condolences go to his family".^[206]

Retired Air Commodore Sajad Haider paid tribute to Asghar Khan, whom he regarded as "one of the greatest sons of the soil". Haider described him as an unparalleled commander-in-chief, earning the respect and admiration of all those he led through his qualities of vision, courage, integrity, honesty, and strict dedication to discipline. Further going on to recall that under his leadership, Flt Lt M. Yunis shot down an Indian spy bomber that violated Pakistani airspace soon after Eid al-Fitr in 1959. The early air defense system Khan prioritized proved effective, resulting in Yunis bringing the bomber down at 40,000 feet, far beyond the operational capability of PAF fighters, with both the Indian pilot and navigator ejecting from their aircraft and taken into custody. Haider emphasized that the indomitable spirit instilled by Asghar Khan propelled the PAF during the 1965 war and that the air force will continue to build upon the solid foundations he laid.^[207]

Major General Asif Ghafoor said, "COAS expresses his grief on the sad demise of ex Air Chief, Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Retired. An iconic soldier who will be remembered for his historic contributions for laying foundations of a strong Pakistan Air Force. May Allah bless his soul-Ameen".^[208]

Peter A. Thatcher, a former pilot, recalled a near-death experience in 1962 during his second solo flight at the Peshawar Flying Club. While flying at 1,000 feet, four Canberra bombers nearly collided with him, narrowly dipping below his plane. Later, as he approached the runway with zero visibility, another Canberra came close to crashing into him. Shaken but alive, Thatcher landed safely. A confrontation with an angry Air Marshal Asghar Khan followed, but his instructor, Hyder Hassan Rizvi, a retired IAF squadron leader, intervened and convinced Asghar Khan that the tower was at fault. Thatcher later met Khan at a dinner party, where they laughed about the incident. He also remembered the air marshal's stance on Pakistan's nuclear program, suggesting that the country would be safer without nukes, though acknowledging Pakistan would never give them up.^[207]

Retired PAF officer Aijazuddin recalled joining the RPAF Flying Training School in 1947/48, when Asghar Khan was the Commandant. In a tribute to Khan, he described him as a principled and resolute leader, noting that he embodied the qualities of a complete officer. Aijazuddin also expressed his condolences to the family.^[207]

On 23 March 2017, the PAF Academy was renamed the Pakistan Air Force Academy Asghar Khan. A grand ceremony took place with Asghar Khan as the chief guest. The event was attended by Chief of Air Staff Sohail Aman, alongside former air chiefs, war veterans, and both retired and serving officers.^[209]

The auditorium at the PIA Training Center, located at the Pakistan International Airlines Head Office in Karachi, was renamed to Asghar Khan Auditorium and inaugurated by Maulana Tariq Jameel on 19 December 2019.^[210]

Insignia	Rank	Date
	Air Marshal	5 November 1958[1]
	Air Vice Marshal	23 July 1957[63]
	Air Commodore	17 April 1954[54]
	Group Captain	February 1949[211]
	Wing Commander	24 August 1947
	Squadron Leader	28 August 1945[12]
	Flight Lieutenant	1 October 1944[12]
	Flying Officer	3 April 1942[12]
	Pilot Officer	22 December 1940[12]
	Second Lieutenant	January 1940

• Certificate of Supersonic Recognition: Order of F-104 Starfighters (1960)^[73]

PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours)
Hilal-e-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan) 1962[212]	Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam (Crescent of Quaid-e-Azam) 1958[213][212]
Burma Star	War Medal 1939-1945	Pakistan Medal (Tamgha-e-Pakistan) 1947	Nishan-i-Taj (Order of the Crown of Iran) 1951[214]
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953	Tamgha-e-Qayam-e-Jamhuria (Republic Commemoration Medal) 1956	Order of Aeronautical Merit (Spain) (Grand Cross) 1957[215][216]	Order of the Crown of Thailand (Knight Grand Cross) (First Class) 1962[217]

Military offices
Preceded by Arthur McDonald	C-in-C of the PAF 1957–1965	Succeeded by Nur Khan