Syed Mohammad Ahsan

Syed Mohammad Ahsan
Vice Admiral S.M. Ahsan (1920–1989)
Military Governor of East Pakistan
In office
1 September 1969 – 1 March 1971
PresidentYahya Khan
Prime MinisterNurul Amin (1970–71)
8th Minister of Finance
In office
5 April 1969 – 3 August 1969
Preceded byN M Uqaili
Succeeded byM.A. Qizilbash
Navy Commander in Chief
In office
20 October 1966 – 31 August 1969
PresidentAyub Khan
Preceded byV.Adm A.R. Khan
Succeeded byV.Adm Muzaffar Hassan
Chairman of the National Shipping Corporation
In office
1975–1976
Personal details
Born
Syed Mohammad Ahsan

December 1920[1]
Hyderabad Deccan, British Indian Empire
Died1990 (aged 69–70)
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Resting placeMilitary Graveyard
CitizenshipBritish India (1921–1947)
Pakistan (1947–1989)
Political partyIndependent
Alma materOsmania University (BA)
Civilian awards Hilal-i-Quaid-e-Azam
Sitara-e-Pakistan
Nickname007[2]: 509 
Military service
Branch/service Royal Indian Navy (1940–1947)
Pakistan Navy (1947–71)
Years of service1938–1971
Rank Vice Admiral (S/No. PN.007)
UnitNavy Executive Branch
CommandsCommander Logistics (COMLOG)
Commander Pakistan Fleet
DG Naval Intelligence (DGNI)
CO PNS Tariq
Aide-de-camp to Louis Mountbatten
Military Advisor East-Pakistan military
Battles/wars
Military awards Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
Medalha de Mérito Militar

Vice Admiral Syed Mohammad Ahsan HQA, SPk, DSC, DMM, LOM (Urdu: سید محمد احسن b. 1920 – d. 1990)[3]: 47 [4] often known as S. M. Ahsan, was a senior admiral of the Pakistan Navy who was the Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Navy, serving under President Ayub Khan from 1966 until 1969.

After that, he briefly served in President Yahya Khan's administration as Finance minister before becoming Governor of East Pakistan in September 1969 until resigning in March 1971 to return to Pakistan. Gaining a commission in the Royal Indian Navy, he participated as a naval officer during World War II with the British and later decided to become a Pakistani citizen following the partition of India by the United Kingdom in 1947. He played a crucial role in establishing the Inter-Services Intelligence and served in the war with India in 1965.[5] Assuming the naval command in 1966, he took initiatives such as establishing the naval special forces, expanding the capabilities of Naval Intelligence and modernising the navy.[6][7]

He was a trusted colleague of President Ayub Khan while attending the cabinet meetings chaired by President Ayub which enabled him influentially consolidate his national security role in the Ayub administration. After completing his tenure as naval chief, he was appointed as Governor of East Pakistan while serving as a cabinet minister in the Yahya administration.[5]

On 1 September 1969, Vice-Admiral Ahsan assumed as the Governor of East Pakistan until his resignation, in protest, on 7 March 1971. He was then posted back to West Pakistan.[5]

  1. ^ Iftikhar-ul-Awwal (2006). "Life Sketches: Lieutenant-Governors, Governors and Presidents". Hundred Years of Bangabhaban 1905–2005. Press Wing Bangabhaban. pp. 333–334. ISBN 978-984-32-1583-3.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lancer Publishers, Singh was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "PNS Ahsan - Ormara". wikimapia.org. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  4. ^ SEATO News-bulletin. SEATO Office of Public Information. 1960. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Agamee Prakshani was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Global Security.org was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Naval Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations (Naval ISPR) was invoked but never defined (see the help page).