A descendant of Persian ruler Nāder Shah, Yahya Khan started his career as a military man during World War II. At 34, following his participation in Pakistan’s war against India over Kashmir, he became Pakistan’s youngest brigadier general. He took over as the president in 1969 and imposed martial law.
Tikka Khan, first Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army, is noted for his military service during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is regarded as one of the chief architects of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide. His role in the Operation Searchlight led the Time magazine to dub him as the Butcher of Bengal.
Former Pakistani Army lieutenant-general Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi was also the last governor of East Pakistan. Remembered as the Jackal of Bengal, he led the Pakistani campaigns during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the Bangladesh Liberation War. He was accused of human rights violations and held responsible for Pakistan’s military failure.
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is a Pakistani retired army general best known for his service as the Chief of Army Staff from 2007 to 2013. Kayani also served as the Directorate-General of Military Operations and the Director-General of ISI, overseeing war efforts in the Global War on Terrorism. In 2012, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was named in Forbes’ most powerful person list.
Pervez Musharraf is a former Pakistani President and army chief who overthrew his country’s elected government in a coup to assume power as its chief executive. Kargil infiltration, confrontation with India and a steep rise in Pakistan’s GDP marked the presidency of the now-retired four-star general. He was awarded capital punishment for treason, but the court order was annulled later.