Ghulam Ishaq Khan

Ghulam Ishaq Khan, born on January 20, 1915, in Ismail Khel, Bannu District, British India (now in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan), was a Pakistani civil servant and politician. He served as the 7th President of Pakistan from 1988 to 1993.

Khan began his career as a civil servant in British India and later joined the Pakistan Administrative Service after the creation of Pakistan in 1947. He held various positions in the government, including Secretary of Finance and Secretary of Defense Production, showcasing his expertise in financial and administrative matters.

In August 1988, following the death of President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in a plane crash, Ghulam Ishaq Khan assumed the presidency as the acting president and was later elected as the President of Pakistan by the electoral college.

During his presidency, Khan focused on addressing economic challenges and ensuring stability in the country. He introduced austerity measures and implemented economic reforms to tackle inflation, stabilize the currency, and promote economic growth. He also played a significant role in strengthening Pakistan’s relationship with international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

However, Khan’s presidency was not without controversy. In 1990, he dismissed the government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, citing corruption and mismanagement. This action led to political turmoil and subsequent elections in which Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister.

In 1993, Ghulam Ishaq Khan’s presidency faced a constitutional crisis when he dissolved the National Assembly and dismissed the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The Supreme Court of Pakistan declared these actions as unconstitutional, leading to Khan’s resignation from the presidency.

After his retirement from politics, Ghulam Ishaq Khan remained active in public life, serving as an advisor to the government on various matters. He also played a role in the establishment of educational institutions, including the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology.

Ghulam Ishaq Khan passed away on October 27, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of service to Pakistan and his contributions to the country’s economic and administrative development.