Hamood Uz Zaman Khan

Lieutenant General (Retired) Hamood Uz Zaman Khan is a military officer of Pakistan, who has served in various capacities in the Pakistan Army. He is known for establishing the National Command & Operation Centre (NCOC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-retirement, he was appointed as the Secretary of Defence and has also served as the federal secretary of the Ministry of Defence Production. He has been recognized with the award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military). He is an alumnus of Command and Staff College Quetta, National Defense University, Islamabad, and National Defense University, USA.

Military
Khan was commissioned in the Army Air Defense on 11 September 1986. During his tenure in the Pakistan Army, he held the position of Staff Officer within an Infantry Brigade, was part of the Military Operation Directorate, and acted as the Chief of Staff at the Army Air Defence Command Headquarters. His service extended to international peacekeeping efforts, where he was a Military Observer in DR Congo under the auspices of the United Nations. His leadership roles included commanding a self-propelled Air Defence Regiment, leading an Air Defence Brigade and an Infantry Brigade, overseeing an Air Defence Division, and managing the Army Air Defence Command Headquarters. Additionally, he held the role of Director General Weapons & Equipment at the General Headquarters.

National Command & Operation Centre (NCOC)
Khan has the distinction of establishing and operating the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his tenure at NCOC, he effectively planned and coordinated strategies to combat the pandemic.

As Federal Secretary
He also served as Federal Secretary, of the Ministry of Defense Production. He replaced Lt Gen (retd) Humayun Aziz, who had completed his contract as secretary of the ministry.

Secretary of Defence
He was appointed Defense Secretary by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He was appointed on a two-year contract and assumed charge of his post on August 24, 2022.

Controversies
In March 2023, the Ministry of Defense informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), headed by him, that the Pakistan Army would not be available for election duty due to the "situation in the country", noting that border security and the country's Army was the "first priority".

In December 2023, a contempt of court petition was filed against him for allegedly violating a Supreme Court order to prosecute him in a criminal court for the May 9 incidents.

Awards and Honors

 * Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)