Role in 1971
During 1971, he allegedly either executed or approved military operations in East-Pakistan, since as the Chief of General Staff (CGS) of Pakistan Army, he was heading the Military operations and intelligence during this period. It is also alleged that he was the 'intellectual planner' of Pakistan Army's crackdown in former East Pakistan and that he preferred a military solution of the political crisis looming over the horizon of Pakistan during 1971. After the war, the newly installed civilian President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto approved the appointment of Army Commander-in-Chief, and promoted him to Lieutenant-General. In controversy, Khan was avoided to be promoted the 4-star rank as oppose to his predecessors, by Bhutto.
He lacked foresight as was viewed by some of his colleagues in Pakistan Army as "short on strategic vision but good as field commander". As Army Commander-in-Chief, Khan lessened the value of the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The ISI lost its importance throughout this time, and the new Army Commander did not pay any attention to ISI. The ISI's operations were never revealed to him and Khan was reluctant and incompetent commander to control the ISI.
Read more about this topic: Gul Hassan Khan
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