It was March 1966 when I was posted in 105 Independent Brigade Group Bahawalpur from Lahore. Reported in the office in the morning. I was ready for the interview when received call from PA of Brigade Major. I was standing in front of very smart tall handsome looking officer Brigade Major Imranullah Khan the Principal Staff officer of Commander. After briefing he gave me few advises that it is your hard work that will take you to heights and no lies but fight for your rights whenever you are wronged. After one hour I was standing in front of my Commander Brigadier Riaz ul Karim Khan from Armored Corps welcomed me and told me just work and work. Major Imran was 15 courses senior to me and was from 12th PMA long course and belonged to FF Regiment. Just for information of readers when he joined the Pakistan Military Academy, he was the most outstanding cadet of his course and, as a result, was selected for training in Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England an exceptional and unique distinction. After short time I was back in my office. My company commander fell sick so it became my responsibility to look after the outfit. Soon I became favorite of Commander and BM as well DQ Major Lodi (Later Brig died in June 2026, May Allah rest his soul in peace) due to my outstanding performance. It has been a good combination of officers. Gen Imranullah Khan was a remarkable officer and a fine human being whom I had the privilege of knowing for over 60 years who breathed his last on 23 August 2026 at Rawalpindi is a deeply personal loss and an occasion to remember a man distinguished not only by his long and illustrious military service, but also by his kindness, compassion and genuine concern for others. After leaving Bahawalpur remained in his contact and whenever I visited places he was serving I always met him and he would spend hours with me, whenever he visited Karachi would always meet me. It was in the year 1995 that I visited Quetta and rang up his MS and told him please inform Governor that I would come at 12.30 to meet him, the MS told me he is very busy and is not available next three days. I requested him that kindly just inform him about my call as I shall be going back to Karachi at 5 PM and gave him my contact number. After 15 minutes I received call from MS telling me Governor has asked me to come at 1 PM and I shall be having lunch with him. Accordingly, I went there and stayed till evening and rescheduled my return to Karachi next day. He always treated me as his younger brother and always remained source of inspiration. He was a disciplined and principled soldier who served with distinction in various important appointments, while remaining humble and deeply humane in his dealings with people. Lieutenant General (Retired) Imran Ullah Khan leaves behind a profound legacy of unyielding military professionalism and deep humanitarian service to Pakistan. Following his recent passing on August 23, 2026, at the age of 93, the nation remembers a leader who balanced the strict discipline of command with a compassionate heart for public service. Throughout his distinguished career in the Pakistan Army, Lt Gen Imran Ullah Khan epitomized tactical excellence, moral clarity, and standard-setting leadership. He served with absolute valor on the front lines, defending the nation as a Captain during the 1965 war and commanding an infantry battalion with distinction in the 1971 conflict. He held some of the most critical assignments in the armed forces, commanding the prestigious 10 Corps Rawalpindi and later serving as the Adjutant General at General Headquarters. As the Commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy PMA Kakul, he shaped the minds, character, and discipline of generations of future military officers. His rigorous professionalism and outstanding merit earned him the prestigious national military honors of Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Military), and Sitara-e-Basalat.Upon hanging up his uniform, General Imran Ullah dedication shifted directly to civil welfare and administrative reform when he was appointed Governor of Baluchistan (May 1994 – May 1997).He is remembered for rendering invaluable services toward the socioeconomic progress and infrastructural development of Baluchistan. He approached his role as governor with humility and fairness, working directly to bridge gaps between local communities and the administration to uplift the region’s most vulnerable populations. True to his integrity, when personal reasons and political landscapes conflicted with his professional ethos, he chose to resign honorably from the governorship in May 1997.The passing of Lt Gen Imranullah Khan marks the end of a distinguished chapter in the lives of those who knew and served with him. For me, the memories of more than six decades will remain cherished a relationship built on respect, trust and affection.
His strict adherence to principles remained evident throughout his life. When he was serving as Adjutant General, I once requested him to allot me a ground-floor apartment in Askari-2 through the Army Housing Directorate, without including my name in the balloting, on account of my permanent Category C and heart condition. He regretted that he could not accede to my request. He explained that although he could make an exception in my case, he was not the only person facing such circumstances, and he did not believe in making exceptions. This incident, though simple, reflected his strong sense of fairness, integrity and commitment to principles qualities that remained a hallmark of his character throughout his life. May Allah Almighty grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give his family and all who mourn him the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Ameen.
