Saeedullah Khan (Urdu: ; 23 July 1926 – 26 January 2002) was a Pakistani former two-star rank air officer of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He was a pioneering officer of the PAF, serving as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from June 1972 to June 1973 before retiring. In this role, he was one of the right-hand men of CAS of the PAF Zafar Chaudhry, alongside ACAS Operations Khaqan Abbasi and Director Air Intelligence Mufti. In the book, Flight of the Falcon, Sajad Haider writes that Saeedullah and Khaqan were involved in a witch-hunt against PAF officers, including Sajad himself, attempting to implicate them in the Attock conspiracy at the behest of Zafar Chaudhry. Haider and other PAF officers discovered with great awe and excitement that President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacked Saeedullah Khan, Khaqan Abbasi, and Zafar Chaudhry from their duties due to allegations of intrigue and witch-hunting. Saeedullah and Khaqan were not allowed to attend their offices and were unceremoniously and prematurely retired when the PAF command changed under Bhutto. Sajad further notes that Saeedullah Khan retired "into oblivion", playing the stock market with Hamid Qureshi, a 1965 War drop-out. Khan later worked for a rogue financial company involved in illicit financial dealings. Sajad writes that despite being financially honest, Saeedullah Khan was likely a victim of circumstances. In July 1998, Saeedullah was among 63 retired Pakistani, 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. Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim recalled, "I learnt a lot especially from Group Captain Saeedullah Khan. He was well read, knowledgeable, and had excellent grasp of what the PAF needed for the future. He was firm and demanded hard work from his subordinates. He was a thorough gentleman and dedicated family man. He was a well-dressed officer and also appreciated those who dressed up well. In fact, he was what one would truly call an officer and gentleman."

Early life and education

Saeedullah Khan was born on 23 July 1926 in Bhagalpur to S.A. Khan, an officer of the Indian Civil Service. Saeedullah graduated from the Government College, Lahore.

Personal life

Saeedullah married Qudsia, a daughter of Khalifa Mohammad Asadullah.

Royal Indian Air Force career

Saeedullah Khan was commissioned into the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) on 17 September 1945, after graduating from the 38th course of the No. 1 (I) SFTS.

Pakistan Air Force career

After the Partition of British India, he opted for the Royal Pakistan Air Force (RPAF). From 28 August 1947 to 14 January 1948, Saeedullah attended the No. 102 Flying Instructors Course of the RAF Central Flying School. In 1948, Flight Lieutenant Saeedullah Khan was instructing Flying Officer Saleem-el-Edroos in dogfight maneuvers when Edroos crashed, resulting in a fatal accident. In 1951, No. 9 Squadron formed the first aerobatics team on their Hawker Fury's, known as The Red Dragons, which was the first aerobatic team in the Indian subcontinent. They performed at the farewell ceremony for the outgoing C-in-C of the RPAF Richard Atcherley. The team members were Sqn Ldr Zafar Chaudhry, Flt Lt Saeedullah Khan, Flying Officer's T. H. Gotting and M. Hayat Khan. Saeedullah Khan was deputed to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as the Deputy Managing Director on 29 August 1969 by Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan. During his tenure, Saeedullah inaugurated a two-week course on aviation accident prevention and investigation. The course, was held for the first time in Pakistan and was co-sponsored by the PIA, Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan, and the Swedish Institute of Aviation Safety. On the visit of the Chinese basketball team to Pakistan in 1973, the Chinese embassy gave a reception which was attended by AVM Saeedullah Khan, other senior officials and Pakistani basketball players.

Death

Saeedullah died on 26 January 2002 at the age of 75 in Lahore, Pakistan.

Effective dates of promotion

Awards and decorations