ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi approved the State Funeral for former Air Marshal Asghar Khan in recognition of his services to the nation, the PM Office announced Friday.
He approved State Funeral “in recognition of patriotic services and great contribution in building the Pakistan Air Force into one of the best air forces in the world.”
Asghar Khan, was the youngest commander of the country’s air force and commanded the newly established force at the age of 35. He breathed his last today after a protracted illness. He was 96.
Asghar Khan was also founder of Tehrik-e-Istiqlal Pakistan, a political party, which was once a mainstream political party in Pakistan and a member of an opposition alliance that had launched protest movement against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto-led Pakistan People’s Party in late 70s.
The party in its twilight days announced its merger with Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in January 2012.
The former Air Chief Marshal became first Commander in Chief of PAF in 1957 under President Iskander Mirza and later under President Ayub Khan until resigning in 1965.
He formed his political party in 1970.
