Hakimullah Khan Durrani

Air Chief Marshal Hakimullah Khan Durrani NI(M) HI(M) SJ SI(M) SBt TBt (15 October 1935 – 23 February 2024); best known as Hakimullah, was a four-star air officer who tenured as the 5th Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force, appointed in this post from 9 March 1988 until retiring on 8 March 1991.

He completed his high school in Mardan. He was seen on 14 August 1988 in Islamabad, Pakistan, during the Independence Day parade attended by then Gen. Zia UL HAQ and speaker Ghulam Ishaq Khan piloting his F-16 fighter jet and manoeuvring the jet skillfully receiving praise during the parade because of his skills. He was born in Shielkh Kali on the Charsadda Road which is a small village between village Gulbela and popular resort Sardaryab. He had a large house estate in Shielkh Kali on the main Charsadda Road. There was a free hospital in the same house as well for the people of area.

Biography
Hakimullah Khan Durrani was born in North-West Frontier Province on 15 October 1935 into a Durrani Pashtun family.

After completing his secondary school certificate from the secondary school in Mardan, he joined the Pakistan Air Force in 1954, passing out in 1957 where he gained commission as a pilot officer. Further training took place in the United States where Flying Officer Hakimullah qualified to fly the F-104 Starfighter and participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Flight-Lieutenant Hakimullah notably intercepted the Indian Air Force's Folland Gnat flown by then-Flight lieutenant Brijpal Singh Sikand, who was forced to land near at the airstrip in Pasrur, Pakistan. This claim, however, has been contested by India. In 1971, Wing-Commander Hakimullah flew the Mirage-IIIA in the western front of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, seeing aerial actions against the MiG-21.

On 5 May 1976, Wing Commander Hakimullah was appointed the first commanding officer of the newly established Combat Commanders' School at PAF Base Sargodha.

In 1981, Air-Commodore Hakim was appointed Project-Director of Project Falcon, overseeing the acquisition of F-16s by the air force. In 1986–87, Air Vice-Marshal Hakim served in the Air AHQ as its Chief of Staff under Chief of Air Staff. In 1988, Air-Mshl. Hakimullah was elevated to DCAS (Administration) and was later promoted to four-star rank. At promotion, Air Chief Marshal Hakimullah superseded at least one senior air officer, Air Marshal Shabbir Hussain Syed, the then-Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS).

In 1991, Air Chief Marshal Hakimullah completed his tenure and retired to settle in Islamabad.

Durrani died after a prolonged illness on 23 February 2024, at the age of 88. He was buried in his home village that same day, and his funeral was attended by air force officials, as well as local people.