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Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan facts for kids

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Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan
Yahya Khan (cropped version).jpg
3rd President of Pakistan
In office
25 March 1969 – 20 December 1971
Prime Minister Nurul Amin (1971)
Preceded by Ayub Khan
Succeeded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Commander in Chief (Pakistan Army)
In office
18 June 1966 – 20 December 1971
Deputy Abdul Hamid Khan
Preceded by Muhammad Musa Khan Hazara
Succeeded by Gul Hassan
Personal details
Born (1917-02-04)4 February 1917
Chakwal, Punjab, British India
(now in Punjab, Pakistan)
Died 10 August 1980(1980-08-10) (aged 63)
Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Resting place Pakistan
Nationality British Indian (1917–1947)
Pakistan (1947–1980)
Political party None
Yahya and Nixon
Yahya Khan with American President Richard Nixon

Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan (born February 4, 1917 – died August 10, 1980) was an important leader in Pakistan's history. He served as the third President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971. He also held the top position in the Pakistani Army as its Commander-in-Chief.

Who Was Yahya Khan?

Yahya Khan was a military general who played a big role in Pakistan's government during a challenging time. He became president after the previous leader, Ayub Khan, stepped down. His time as president was short but very significant for the country.

Early Life and Education

Yahya Khan was born in Chakwal, a city in what was then British India. This area is now part of Punjab, Pakistan. He received his early education and then went on to study at the University of the Punjab.

After his university studies, he joined the military. He trained at the Indian Military Academy, which was a very important school for future army officers. This training prepared him for a long career in the armed forces.

Military Career

Yahya Khan began his military career before Pakistan became an independent country. He served in the British Indian Army during World War II. During the war, he was even held as a prisoner of war by Italy for a short period.

Rising Through the Ranks

After Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Yahya Khan joined the Pakistan Army. He quickly showed his skills and leadership abilities. He rose through different ranks, taking on more and more responsibility.

He became known for his strategic thinking and his dedication to the army. His hard work led him to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army in 1966. This was a very powerful position, making him the head of all military forces in the country.

Becoming President

In 1969, Pakistan was facing political challenges. The then-President, Ayub Khan, decided to resign. At that time, Yahya Khan, as the head of the army, took over the leadership of the country. He became the third President of Pakistan on March 25, 1969.

His Time as President

As president, Yahya Khan faced many difficult situations. He aimed to bring political stability to the country. He also worked on preparing for a general election to allow people to choose their leaders.

His presidency ended in December 1971. He was succeeded by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Yahya Khan had one son, Ali Yahya, and one daughter, Yasmeen Khan.

Later Life

After leaving office, Yahya Khan lived a more private life. He passed away on August 10, 1980, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He is remembered as a key figure in Pakistan's early history.

See Also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Yahya Khan para niños

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