Sajad Haider

Sayed Sajad Haider (26 December 1932 – 3 January 2025), better known by his aliases as Nosy Haider and Saviour of Lahore, was a Pakistani fighter pilot and one-star rank officer in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). He was also an author, columnist, businessman, defence analyst, political commentator, and philanthropist.

Born in the Punjab Province, his family later moved to Balochistan, where he grew up alongside Akbar Bugti. In his second year at the Forman Christian College in 1951, he was selected for the RPAF College and commissioned into the Royal Pakistan Air Force in 1953. He completed his Fighter Conversion Course on the Tempest at Mauripur, coming in second place behind Sarfraz Rafiqui. In 1954, Sajad participated in aerial operations against the Faqir of Ipi in Miranshah. Afterwards, he joined the RPAF's first jet unit, the No. 11 Squadron. Excelling in air combat, he trained on the F-86 Sabre in the U.S. and later joined the Falcons aerobatic team, which set a world record with a 16-aircraft formation loop in 1958.

As Squadron Leader of the No. 19 Squadron PAF, Sajad gained fame for leading a devastating blitzkrieg attack on the Pathankot airbase during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, where he destroyed four Indian aircraft on the ground, 11 tanks, and damaged three more. His formation accounted for the destruction of 13 enemy aircraft including two MiG-21s. The following day Sajad led another formation attack on Srinagar Air Force Station, where they destroyed three more enemy aircraft.

Sajad Haider's career had been rife with events that included false accusations and defiance of military rule. In 1973, along with 13 other PAF officers, Haider was falsely accused of treason and mutiny in a supposed coup against the then President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. This accusation, devised by Air Chief Zafar Chaudhry, his deputy Saeedullah Khan, and their third in command, Khaqan Abbasi, was later revealed to be completely baseless. Consequently, Haider and the other officers were completely exonerated and Chaudhry and Khan were fired.

While serving in Washington, D.C. as air attaché in the mid-1970s, Haider rejected a bribe from an American executive who was subsequently removed from his job. In coordination with certain Pakistani, Iranian, and American high-level officials, this executive would then be behind a plot that accused Haider of making disparaging remarks about the Shah of Iran, causing diplomatic tensions between Iran–Pakistan. The scheme was later exposed, revealing that they had fabricated the lie in retaliation for Haider rejecting the bribe, as they aimed to profit from illicit defence deals with the Pakistan Air Force. In 1979, Haider confronted General Zia-ul-Haq during a secret meeting at the General Headquarters, criticising the intelligence agencies for manipulating the truth and suppressing the press, and conveyed his disillusionment with the military's conduct towards civilians. Refusing to serve any longer under Zia's rule, Haider resigned from the air force in 1980, ending an illustrious career with very few assets.

Haider formed an aviation, defence, and communications company called ''Cormorant''. He closed the company in 1990 after he refused to take kickbacks from two Pakistan army generals of the Defence Procurement Division including the Director General. A staunch supporter of Imran Khan, Haider donated to Khan's fundraiser for affectees of the 2022 Pakistan floods and received thanks from Khan. In 2023, he was holding a placard in support of Khan, when an Islamabad police officer approached him and began misbehaving, undermining the Commodore's efforts during the 1965 war by parroting him in a taunting way.

Early life and education

Born in Sargodha on 25 or 26 December 1932, at midnight, Syed Sajjad Haider was the son of Dr. Syed Fazal Shah and Rashida Begum. He has an older sister named Kausar and two younger brothers, Bunyad Haider , a renowned cardiologist who served as the Chairperson of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the youngest, Jawwad Haider.

He attended a Mission school in Quetta with his sister Kausar until class 5, then spent three years at Islamia High School Quetta before they both enrolled at St. Francis' Grammar School. As a teenager, he was inspired by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, whom he once saw sitting just six feet away during a visit to his former school, igniting his ambition to defend Pakistan. Moreover, the sight of Polish pilots engaging in dogfights over Quetta during World War II further fueled his aspirations—he was mesmerized by their skill in Spitfires and vowed to become a fighter pilot himself, though his father dismissed it with laughter. Sajad later wrote, "I was the first to become a fighter pilot from Balochistan."

Initially, his family resided in the Bugti House, before moving to a small tin-roofed home within a complex of eight homes, constructed by the father of Akbar Bugti, Nawab Mehran Khan Bugti. A close friend of Sajad's father, Mehran Khan gifted him two of the homes. Following this transition, Sajad grew up close to Akbar Bugti and other Bugti siblings. He recalled Akbar Bugti being an "stunning and fearsome person," who always referred to Sajad as chapeit or "scrawny boy". Akbar's younger brother, Ahmed Nawaz Bugti, would bring Sajad with him everyday to learn how to drive.

Against the backdrop of the post-World War II depression, Sajad's family confronted challenging times, as his father did not charge people for treatment, leading the family to rely on ration cards to obtain essential goods such as sugar, flour, tea, eggs, cooking oil, and petrol. Despite the challenging economic situation, he stated that the harsh realities of war did not directly impact his childhood, thanks to his mother's significant sacrifices to ensure warmth and sustenance. After passing the Senior Cambridge exam, Sajad joined the Forman Christian College in 1950.

Ancestry

Sajad claimed descent from the rulers of the Khwarazmian Empire; he stated that his father, Dr. Syed Fazal Shah, was from Moinuddinpur, a small village in Gujrat founded by their ancestor, Sayed Moin-ud-Din Shah.

Dr. Syed Fazal Shah was a wartime doctor in World War I and spent most of that time stationed in Rouen, France. On the invitation of his close friend and sworn brother, Nawab Mehrab Khan Bugti—father of Akbar Bugti—as well as Jafar Khan Jamali, Dr. Syed Fazal Shah opened his medical practice in Quetta after the war. He was also an associate of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and was one of the founding members of the All India Muslim League (AIML), laying its foundations in Balochistan and Sindh.

During a meeting, Jinnah once asked him, "Why didn't you become President of the Muslim League in Balochistan yourself? Why did you allow Qazi Muhammad Isa to take the position?" Fazal Shah replied, "I am not interested in power but in the results of the prime mission. Furthermore, Qazi Muhammad Isa is a local of Balochistan, while I am an outsider."

Sajad's mother, Rashida Begum, was a housewife who engaged in social work, particularly aiding the poor and tuberculosis patients. Syed Fazal Shah was of Punjabi descent, while Rashida Begum had Pashtun heritage from her mother's side.

Devoted to his medical profession, Syed Fazal Shah provided care to underprivileged patients, often charging nominal or no fees. He responded to emergency calls without hesitation, even in Quetta's freezing temperatures. His dedication took him to remote areas, including Rojahan Jamali, and he attended to patients such as the wife of Nawab Mehrab Khan Bugti. Sajad recalled that his father never turned away a patient over unpaid dues, enduring irregular hours, long distances, and diverse modes of travel—from horse-drawn carts to jeeps, and at times, even on horseback.

Personal life and death

Haider married three times. In 1960, he married his first wife Iffat, who gave birth to their son Adnan in 1963. He married his second wife, Tahira in 1970 and the marriage lasted until 1971. He married his last wife, Faryda in April 1979 who gave birth to their son Zohare in 1980 and daughter Zaiena in 1984.

In 1978, Haider attended the Quaid-i-Azam University and earned his MSc in Anthropology.

Haider died on 3 January 2025, at the age of 92. He was laid to rest the next day at his Los Colinas Farmhouse in Bara Koh, Islamabad.

Military career

During his second year at the FC College, he was selected to join the 13th GD(P) Course at the RPAF College in December 1951. Haider later reflected on being an average student who barely scraped through the 1½ year course. However, shortly after earning his pilot's wings, he rose to the top of his course within months, despite starting in the middle during training. He was commissioned into the Royal Pakistan Air Force on 11 June 1953.

Airstrikes against Faqir of Ipi

In 1953–54, Sajad Haider participated in air raids against Faqir of Ipi and his men. In an interview in 2004, he recalled: "We were called in to rescue ground troops. Flying overhead we saw hundreds of tribal fighters, in groups of 10 and 15, hiding behind big boulders. They knew the terrain, they moved very quickly, and understood the limitations of our aircraft. They used to hide at the bottom of steep hills so pilots would have no space to pull up after attacks."

World record loop of 1958

On 2 February 1958, hundreds of thousands of people were in attendance at an air show in Mauripur organised in honour of the visiting guest King of Afghanistan Mohammad Zahir Shah. Others included, President Iskandar Ali Mirza, General Ayub Khan, Air Vice Marshal Asghar Khan, Air Commodore Nur Khan, Turkish Air Chief , Iraqi Air Force Chief Abdul Kadhim Abaddi and Chief of the Imperial Iranian Air Force Hedayatollah Gilanshah.

Flying in the No. 3 position, Flight Lieutenant Haider was part of the Falcons aerobatic team led by Wing Commander Mitty Masud that set a world record performing a 16-aircraft diamond loop in F-86 Sabres.

The same year, Sajad was the youngest and first to receive the Golden Eagle Award after the Partition of British India, for being an exceptional fighter pilot.

War of 1965

Sajad Haider often lauded as the Saviour of Lahore and one of the key heroes of the 1965 War, led the ''Sherdils'' of No. 19 Squadron PAF as Squadron Leader.

1965 War's Pathankot Strike, was a mission that underscored Haider's strategic acumen and the unwavering resolve of his squadron. The PAF played an integral role in hindering the Indian land forces' advance, particularly in the Wagah sector. Despite the historical significance of these events, Haider noted that they are often overlooked in war narratives.

Before they took off from Peshawar, Haider had arranged for towels drenched in buckets of eau de cologne stating to his men: "Boys we don’t know who will be the unlucky ones who won’t be able to dodge the enemy Ack-ack. They would surely arrive in the reception hall up there (Heaven) at around 1715 Hrs; but let us be sure we all smell good for the promised houris and angels who will receive us at the gates leading to heaven, for fighting as Allah has commanded us."

Haider painted a detailed picture of the Wagah Strike, shedding light on the precision and bravery exhibited by the young pilots under his command which played an instrumental role in altering the course of the war. The narrative also explores the Pathankot Strike, wherein Haider's squadron targeted the IAF airfield with aircraft guns only. The success of the mission, resulting in the destruction of numerous Indian aircraft, showcased the exceptional skill and determination of the PAF pilots acknowledged by the Indians. Haider attributed the success to the collective efforts of his team and underscores the leadership and the visionary strategies of Air Marshal Asghar Khan and Air Marshal Nur Khan.

The following day, Haider was summoned by his base commander who provided a letter that contained Instruction Orders, directing No. 19 Squadron PAF to conduct a reconnoitre at Avantipura airfield, Strafe any targets, and then go to Srinagar to hit any parked aircraft. Flight Commander, "Mo" Akbar was directed to put three pilots for the mission together. The team consisted of Arshad Sami Khan, Rao Akhtar, and Khalid Latif. A Hi-Lo-Hi profile was worked out to avoid radar detection by climbing to 20,000 ft near Nanga Parbat. As they descended over the Khel village, they entered the Kashmir valley. Approaching Srinagar, the target at Avantipura was observed, then they turned towards Srinagar airfield. As they approached, Flt. Lt. Rao Akhtar saw a civilian helicopter that was brightly painted and asked permission from Haider to engage it. Haider responded, "No leave it alone, it's a civilian helicopter." Afterwards it was reported that this helicopter was carrying Chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq. As Haider pulled up, heavy anti-aircraft fire started and Haider engaged, and conducted a strafing attack. Haider destroyed a C-7 Caribou and two C-47 Dakotas. Once the attack was over the formation regrouped and returned to home base. During the course of this attack, the Indian Air Force stated that they had shot down two F-86 Sabres and captured Squadron Leader Haider, claims which were proven false.

Sitara-e-Jurat

The Sitara-e-Jurat citation reads:

“Squadron Leader Syed Sajad Haider displayed exceptional leadership, courage and flying skill in the operations against the enemy during the Indo-Pak War. He destroyed four enemy aircraft, eleven enemy tanks and damaged three tanks. Throughout the operations, his attitude both on the ground and in the air was exemplary. He infused his pilots with aggressiveness. The strike mission which he led on 6th September 1965, against Pathankot airfield, where his formation destroyed 13 enemy aircraft including two MIG-21’s, was conducted in the best traditions of the Pakistan Air Force. The formation carried out repeated attacks in the face of heavy ack-ack. For the determination, courage and exceptional flying skill with which he flew and led his squadron during operations against the enemy. Squadron Leader Syed Sajad Haider, is awarded SJ.”

War of 1971

After serving at PAF Base Dacca as the Commander of No. 14 Squadron PAF, Sajad was nominated for the Joint Service Defence College in the United Kingdom. Upon returning in September 1971, he took command of the No 33 Wing at Sargodha. However, as tensions between India and Pakistan heightened, he faced the challenge of preparing the Wing for any impending threat.

The Wing under his leadership, included No. 5 Sqn of Mirages, No. 25 Sqn with Sabres, No. 23 Sqn with newly inducted Chinese F-6 and No. 11 Sqn with F-104s. Haider drawing on his experience from the 1965 War, swiftly readied the Wing for a potential conflict. One of his initial actions was to convert to the newly inducted French Mirages, which he flew a couple of missions on and became operational in no time.

As he settled into his role, the 1971 War broke out. Undeterred, Sajad led the Wing in notable contributions, with No. 5 Squadron PAF conducting successful strike missions in India's Amritsar, Pathankot, and the famous strike on Mukerian railway station. He wrote that he personally flew various missions on Mirages, F-86s, and F-6s, often undertaking two missions a day despite heavy office commitments.

The Wing played a crucial role in close support operations, conducting nearly 200 missions in the Zafarwal-Chawinda sector. No 33 wing destroyed a significant fuel dump at Akhnoor on 10 December. From 12 to 15 December, No 33 Wing flew 50 to 60 missions daily. In battles against Indian armor, the Wing, particularly the F-6 Sqn, inflicted substantial damage, contributing significantly to stalling the Indian assault on the Sialkot sector. Under Haider's command, No 33 Wing excelled in air combat, with young pilots achieving kills against superior IAF aircraft.

Attock Conspiracy 1973

On 30 March 1973, several Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force officers, including Sajad, were arrested for their alleged role in what was to be known as the ''1973 Attock Conspiracy Case'' on charges of attempting to overthrow the Government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He was placed in solitary confinement, in a dark room for months in which he recalled that he developed a stronger relationship with Allah.

He was offered a deal to get out early by two officials of the Air Intelligence, CA Waheed and Sibtain, who he referred to as Gestapo rats, in exchange for a false confessional statement against Zulfiqar Ali Khan in front of a magistrate, which Sajad refused to do.

The 14 air force officials were tried at PAF Camp Badaber on 27 July 1973 in a General Court Martial headed by Air Vice Marshal Chaudhry Rab Nawaz where Haider and others were exonerated. The court members also observed that the case against Sajad was purely a personal vendetta driven by the sitting Chief of Air Staff, Zafar Chaudhry, due to Sajad's defiance against him.

The Verdict read:

“THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAVE DELIBERATED VERY CAREFULLY THE EVIDENCE PRODUCED BY THE PROSECUTION THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL AND TODAY AS RESPONSE TO THE ‘PLEA OF NO CASE’ BY THE LEGAL COUNSEL OF ACCUSED NO 13, THE COURT FINDS THE PROSECUTOR’S CASE AGAINST THE ACCUSED INDEFENSIBLE. IT IS THE UNANIMOUS DECISION OF THE COURT THAT THE ‘PLEA OF NO CASE’ IS ACCEPTED AND ACCUSED NO 13, GROUP CAPTAIN SAJAD HAIDER SAYED, STANDS EXONERATED AGAINST ALL CHARGES LEVELED AGAINST HIM. HE IS FREE TO LEAVE THE COURT ROOM.”

Air Attaché

In September 1974, he relinquished the charge of Director Flight Safety and was appointed as Pakistan's Air Attaché to the Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, D.C. and High Commission of Pakistan, Ottawa.

During Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's visit to Washington, D.C., Group Captain Haider was part of the greeting committee on 4 February 1975. They met Bhutto at Andrews AFB and proceeded to the President's Guest House before attending a private dinner at the residence of Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States.

Accused of Insulting The Shah of Iran in Retaliation for Rejecting a Bribe

In 1974, the Vice President of a major Fortune 400 company approached Sajad Haider to request his Swiss bank account number. Sajad quickly declined the unethical offer and asked the American to leave, firmly stating, "Get out of my office, I'll have your company blacklisted." Sajad's strong response caused the company's president to come meet him in person, apologizing for the action of the Vice President, and stated that he would be dismissed for attempting to bribe Sajad.

After his dismissal from the company, the disgraced Vice President schemed with others, including Pakistanis, Iranians, and Americans seeking to profit from questionable defence transactions with the Pakistan Air Force. The matter accelerated for Sajad when, during an early lunch, he was summoned to the embassy by the secretary of Ambassador Sahabzada Yaqub Khan (SYAK). Sajad found Khan visibly distressed as he handed him a classified telex from the Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Aziz Ahmed, accusing Sajad of making derogatory comments about the Shah of Iran. SYAK informed Sajad that the Shah had personally complained to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, while in İzmir, that Sajad should be dismissed and court-martialed.

The Shah's son-in-law Ardeshir Zahedi who was serving as the Iranian ambassador in Washington, was shocked by the turn of events, as he is a close friend of Sajad.

“DURING THE FIRST RCD MEETING AT IZMIR BETWEEN THE ARYAMEHR SHAHINSHAH OF IRAN AND MR BHUTTO, THE SHAHINSHAH DISCUSSED IN DETAIL THE PAKISTAN AIR ATTACHÉ AT WASHINGTON, GP CAPT SAJAD HAIDER. THE SHAHINSHAH TOOK STRONG EXCEPTION TO THE DEROGATORY COMMENTS MADE BY THE AIR ATTACHÉ AGAINST ARYAMEHR SHAHINSHAH OF IRAN'S PERSON AND FURTHER ALLEGED HE HAS BEEN SPREADING DISCONTENT AMONGST THE IRANIAN COMMUNITY. THE SHAHINSHAH WANTED IMMEDIATE ACTION AGAINST THE AIR ATTACHÉ. CONSIDERING THE SENSITIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND PAKISTAN YOU ARE TO REPATRIATE THE AIR ATTACHÉ INSTANTLY.”

In the midst of the turmoil, Haider faced a surprising reassignment by the Ambassador, leaving him disheartened. However, a letter from the Foreign Secretary, Agha Shahi, eventually conveyed his exoneration. Despite this, strained relations persisted, leading to Haider's recall from Washington.

Ambassador Abdur Rahim Khan, upon learning of Haider's financial constraints, arranged for his travel to Spain, where he was serving. Haider wrote that this act of generosity became pivotal as it provided him with the means to meet Khan and seek solace during a challenging period. During their meeting, Sajad wrote that tears streamed down Khan's face as he listened to Haider's account of his service and the court-martial.

Subsequently, a investigation revealed that an operative of the SAVAK from Zahedi's embassy, with a direct line to the Shah, fabricated the lie against Sajad. A letter written by Ambassador SYAK to Vice Chief of Air Staff AVM Hassan exonerated Sajad. The letter uncovered that the false accusations originated from the American executive, in retaliation for Haider rejecting the bribe. According to Sajad, Hassan had allegedly not shown the letter to Chief of Air Staff Zulfiqar Ali Khan. As a result, Haider faced challenges on his return to Pakistan, including an unexpected reassignment by the Chief of Air Staff. Frustrated by the lack of communication and understanding, he confronted the Chief, questioning the return of individuals involved in previous scandals. In a final encounter with Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bhutto acknowledged the harsh realities of the political landscape, empathizing with Haider's court-martial hardships. Sajad wrote that Bhutto's words, "This is a cruel world, Haider," foreshadowed his own destiny.

Director of Joint Warfare

After graduating from the National Defence College, Islamabad in 1977, Haider was appointed Director of Joint Warfare at the General Headquarters.

Nomination for Sitara-e-Imtiaz

Sajad Haider recalled that in 1980, he was called by Lt Gen F. S. Lodhi, the Chief of General Staff (CGS), who informed him that Vice Chief of Army Staff General Sawar Khan had recommended him for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in recognition of his contributions to Joint warfare concepts. This was the first time an air force officer had been recommended by the army high command to the air chief. Lodhi mentioned that the recommendation had been sent to Air Headquarters and Haider would likely hear about the award soon, with it appearing on the Pakistan Day awards list. The top generals of the army had endorsed him (Appendix ‘I’). However, Air Commodore Saleem, the brother-in-law of General Zia-ul-Haq, did not present the army high command's recommendation to the Air Chief and it was subsequently suppressed.

Dissent against Zia's dictatorship

As President General Zia-ul-Haq outlined his continued military rule at a top-secret meeting at the General Headquarters in November 1979, Sajad Haider wrote that a sense of rebellion stirred within him, as he had been harboring concerns about the prevailing situation in the country. Nervous and hesitant, Sajad knew that dissenting against Zia could mark the end of his career in the PAF.

While Zia sat down after his closing remarks, Sajad stood up and felt a tug at his trousers from General F. S. Lodhi, urging him to remain silent. Sajad says he was fully aware that expressing his dissent could have severe consequences. Gathering his courage, Sajad stood up and addressed the President directly. General Zia-ul-Haq, irritated by the interruption, granted him a brief moment to speak. In that instance, Sajad voiced his concerns about the intelligence agencies, the stifled press, and the intimidation faced by ordinary citizens. He painted a stark picture of the disconnect between the rulers and the nation.

In front of the entire gathering, Sajad stated: "Mr. President, Pakistanis seem to live in a constant state of foreboding and terror of the intelligence agencies. These intelligence agencies have never told the truth, as it is not in their culture to do so, nor are they telling the truth to you about the state of the hearts and minds of the nation. Are these hearts beating for Pakistan or from the fear of getting lashed in public or thrown in dirty cells with convicts on the mere suspicion of being dissenters? These agencies have carefully crafted the fall of every government. What is to stop them from doing the same to your government?

Sir, the road from the airport to the Aiwan-e-Sadr does not reflect the soul of Pakistan; which, in fact, lurks in the dark and pitted backstreets of Pakistan. But these agencies would not suggest that you take a peek there and see the real state of the wretched Pakistani nation. The press, Mr. President, is stifled, and people are petrified to speak their distressed minds.

I have worn this uniform with incredible pride and never hesitated to put my life on the line for the defence of my country. Tragically, I do not feel the same sense of pride as I did a decade ago when people almost kissed our hands when they saw us in uniform in a public place. Today, the tables have turned. People have visible contempt for us and our uniform. Since, in some small way, I share the responsibility of this metamorphosis, I do not feel proud wearing this uniform anymore.

Mr. President, I live in Islamabad, and every day my exit from GHQ brings me on an intercept course with the Corps Commander also going home. But there is a difference. The gallant men of God, who are under oath to defend the people, the property, and the frontiers of this country, travel with outriders on motorcycles; red beacons flashing and sirens screaming to herald the approaching cavalcade. In the meanwhile, all citizens on foot or in transports at the T-junction from GHQ to the old President House are shooed off the road to clear the path for the defenders of Pakistan. This is not the way defenders should conduct themselves amongst their own people. I think that we have ceased to sense their ire that ordinary citizens feel at such intimidation."

Retirement

Following the incident, several military colleagues visited Sajad, cautioning him about impending trouble and a grim future. While he was in service, he had the opportunity to take a job in the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which he wrote "seemed like history" after the confrontation with Zia.

Chief of General Staff Mian Afzaal expressed disappointment, asserting that Sajad had jeopardized a promising career in the air force. Unfazed, Sajad affirmed his readiness to challenge tyranny for principles. Growing disillusionment with Zia's rule and absolute power led him to break free from the air force obsession, anticipating a new chapter outside.

Encountering Air Chief Marshal Anwar Shamim at the Islamabad Club, Sajad declined his offer to lead PAF Base Masroor, citing unease after confronting Zia-ul-Haq. Confident in his ability to navigate an uncertain future, Sajad stated he emphasized reliance on destiny and faith in Allah. Shamim acknowledged Sajad's resilience, foreseeing a path to ascend or exit. Choosing to exit, Sajad left the PAF in May 1980. Haider later noted that he had no regrets, envisioning a space for the younger generation and gratefully declined facilities given to retired personnel, embarking on a new life with in his bank account and a 1970 Left-hand Drive Toyota.

Later life

Scrutinizing M.M. Alam's Air Combat Record

According to the Pakistan Air Force, Squadron Leader MM Alam shot down five Indian Hawker Hunter aircraft in under a minute during a single sortie in the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965, achieving "ace in a day" status in record time. He reportedly downed a total of seven Hunters, though two were considered 'probable' kills. However, the Indian Air Force disputed the loss of five Hunters on 7 September. Recalling his final four claimed kills, Alam stated that after executing a "270-degree turn at around 12 degrees per second... four Hunters had been shot down."

MM Alam's claims were contested by Sajad Haider. In his 2009 memoir, Haider wrote that it was "tactically and mathematically very difficult to resurrect the incident in which all 5 Hunters in a hard turn were claimed to have been shot down in a 270 degree turn in 23 seconds. The Story of the Pakistan Air Force (official history- 1988) as well as John Fricker also admits that the claim was difficult to confirm, especially when only 2 Hunters were found near Sangla Hill railway station, with the pilots charred beyond recognition. The IAF has repeatedly admitted the loss of 2 Hunters in this mission, along with two more damaged (Jog and Parihar). Logically, since the five were claimed to have been shot down in 23 seconds, then they should all have crashed within close proximity. The conjecture that all the rest could have crashed after 8-9 minutes of flying is superfluous and unworthy of the official PAF history. The remainder two Hunters did escape. What makes the PAF's official history's insistence so pointless is that MM Alam really did an excellent job of shooting down 2 Hunters, and the fact remains that he, along with his somewhat ineffective wing man, handled 10 Hunters in the few minutes of this combat." The fact that no verifiable gun camera footage of his kills was ever made public by the Pakistani authorities further casts doubt on his claim.

Reviewing Cecil Chaudhry's Claimed Military Feats

In 2020, appearing as a guest in a podcast hosted by military historian (Retd) Major Agha H Amin, Sajad Haider revealed that Kaiser Tufail falsely told the Indian Air Force to credit Cecil Chaudhry instead of Yunus Hussain for shooting down Indian pilot A.R. Gandhi's Hawker Hunter during the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965. Sajad's Indian counterpart confirmed that Yunus had originally been credited before Tufail approached him. When Sajad questioned Tufail on the lie, he said he wanted Cecil to be credited because Cecil was his senior. Sajad also added that Cecil had been lying his whole life and claiming Yunus' success for his own for 40 years. He further stated that the lie was concocted in order to glorify Sargodha pilots.

Political views

Writing for ''Dawn'' in 2009, Haider wrote that the Americans coerced President Ayub Khan to let them establish a spy base at Badaber in Peshawar where Lockheed U-2 fighter planes operated from. This to Sajad was the beginning of Pakistanis taking American dictation, "We traded our sovereignty for preservation of a dictator and we've never looked back. The Americans have always let down Pakistan," he said. He further added that he was very close friends with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but would never forgive him for his role in the separation of East Pakistan.

Reaction to Abbottabad Raid

Reacting to the news, Haider stated that it was impossible for the Pakistan Armed Forces to be unaware of American jets entering Pakistan to conduct the raid on Osama bin Laden. He referred to the Government of Pakistan as cowards for letting the sovereignty of Pakistan be violated, stating that this selling of sovereignty was first done by Ayub Khan who didn't allow Air Marshal Asghar Khan to shoot down Indian Air Force jets in fear of a war arising between the two countries.

Defence Analyst

In 2019, Haider was one of 26 former Pakistani military officers who were permitted to appear as defence analysts on television.

Commemorations

In several noteworthy endorsements, various individuals, including Pushpinder Singh Chopra, stated that, "Sajad Haider is the real and forever hero of the 1965 air war."

"Sajad Haider is one of the gallant few who helped save Pakistan in 1965" — Former Commander-in-Chief, Air Marshal Asghar Khan

"As Chief of Operations during the 1965 war, I can say Squadron Leader Sajad Haider emerged as one of the outstanding commanders. Under his able and inspiring leadership, No. 19 Squadron's contribution was second to none and at times beyond all expectations. Whenever there was a difficult task to be carried out effectively, I always called upon No. 19 Squadron to do it and it was always done in the best traditions of the Pakistan Air Force." — Former Commander-in-Chief, Air Marshal Abdur Rahim Khan

"Squadron Leader SS Haider led the PAF raid at 1600 hours. After his earlier successful raid on Pathankot, Haider chose Srinagar, as it was the only airfield within range of his Sabres from Peshawar. As usual, no warning was available to the defences until the Sabres were almost overhead. Haider and his wingman attacked 2 Dakotas parked near the ATC. Both aircraft had to be written off. The other 2 Sabres strafed and thoroughly shot up a Caribou parked on the apron ahead of the terminal. A Sabre hit and damaged by the Ack-Ack was trailing flames as all 4 Sabres disappeared over the mountains, heading back for home. It seemed unlikely that the damaged Sabre would make it back to the air in the near future. The raid netted the Pakistanis three aircraft destroyed on the ground, one of which belonged to the IAF. One of the Dakotas belonged to the civilian Indian Airlines Corporation. The Caribou belonged to the Royal Canadian Air Force contingent of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan." — PVS Jagan Mohan, '' The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965''

"This book (Flight of the Falcon) is the result of Sajad Haider's relentless pursuit to ferret out the truth of Pakistan's military adventures and the adventurers who threw the nation into wars which proved costly in the lives of the brave men and devastating for the nation." — Professor Khwaja Masud

"A brother and mentor, Sajad Haider inspired me in the very incipient stage of my career to always 'aim high', a lesson I never forgot and pursued with vigor. Surely then I owe him much for what Allah bestowed on me later." — Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak

"Sajad Haider is a flamboyant character with a quick wit and irrepressible daring. He was always given to exercise initiative beyond his terms of reference. This made him controversial but stood him in good stead in battle. He is therefore in a position to make iconoclastic revelations. Some of these needed highlighting as they bear on the unstable state that this country has become... The reader will be well served with fresh and candid accounts of some of the major events of the last fifty years now appearing in a different light devoid of the embellishments of those times. In the long run the truth prevails." — Air Vice Marshal Sadruddin Mohammad Hossain

"Just after Zia grabbed power he gave a 'pep' talk... why he had carried out his coup. The audience listened in stony silence except for one, A Cdre Haider, who in 1965 had achieved such spectacular successes. Haider got up and said, 'Sir, what you have just said is what all military dictators have said... they try to hang on to power forever'. The distinguished military career of A Cdre Sajad Haider thus ended abruptly." — Mansoor Shah, author of ''The Gold Bird''

Publications

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External links

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Effective dates of promotion

Awards and decorations

*Top Gun Fighter Leaders' School Sword; (Instructor and Flight Commander)

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Haider, Sajad
1932 births
2025 deaths
Military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Pakistan Air Force officers
Pilots of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Pakistani expatriates in Germany
Air attachés for Pakistan
Military personnel from Punjab, Pakistan
Pakistani expatriates in the United States
National Defence University, Pakistan alumni
St Francis Grammar School alumni
People from Sargodha
Pakistani flying aces
Pakistan Air Force personnel
People of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Pakistani aviation record holders
Recipients of Sitara-e-Jurat
Pakistan Air Force Academy alumni
Pakistani expatriates in Spain
Pakistani aviators
Pakistani military aviators
Pilots of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Forman Christian College alumni
People from Quetta
Pakistani autobiographers
Quaid-i-Azam University alumni
People from Punjab Province (British India)