Lieutenant General Shafaat Ullah Shah HI(M) (Urdu: شفاعت اللہ شاہ; born 28 August 1953) is a retired three star general of the Pakistan Army, diplomat, and author. He often writes for the Pakistan Armed Forces magazine, "Hilal English".[7] He has served as Chief of Logistics Staff at the GHQ, Colonel commandant of the Baloch Regiment, Commander IV Corps, and as Military Secretary to President Musharraf.[8]
Shafaat Ullah Shah | |
|---|---|
شفاعت اللہ شاہ | |
 | |
| Ambassador of Pakistan to Jordan & Palestine | |
| In office September 2015 – September 2017 | |
| Succeeded by | (R) Major General Junaid Rehmat[1] |
| Chief Logistics Staff at the GHQ | |
| In office 24 March 2008[2] – 9 November 2009 | |
| Succeeded by | Lieutenant General Alam Khattak |
| Commander IV Corps | |
| In office November 2005 – 23 March 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Lieutenant General Shahid Aziz |
| Succeeded by | Lieutenant General Ijaz Ahmed Bakhshi[3] |
| Military Secretary to President Musharraf | |
| In office 23 December 2003 – 8 November 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Major General Nadeem Taj |
| General officer commanding of 11th Infantry Division | |
| In office February 2002 – 23 December 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Major General ANS Mela |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 August 1953 Lahore, Pakistan |
| Spouse |
Fariha Bokhari (m. 1980) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Shafqat Ullah Shah (father) |
| Relatives | (r) Brigadier Liaqat Bokhari (SJ) (father-in-law)[5] |
| Education | |
| Occupation |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Pakistan |
| Branch/service | Pakistan Army |
| Years of service | 1971 – 2009 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | Baloch Regiment |
| Commands |
|
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) |
Early life and education
Shah was born into a Syed family on 28 August 1953 in Lahore, Pakistan to Syed Shafqat Ullah Shah who migrated from Hyderabad Deccan to Lahore in 1948. His father was an employee of the Prisons Department of Punjab and later became Inspector general of the Punjab Prisons from May 1981 to May 1983.[9]
He was enrolled in the Abbottabad Public School in class 7,[10] and did his Faculty of Sciences (FSc) from there before he joined the Army. He wanted to become a doctor but wasn't selected into King Edward Medical University so his father made him join the Pakistan Army. He is also an honors graduate of the Staff College in Camberley and National Defence College.
He holds master's degrees in political science and in strategic studies.[11]
Personal life
Shah is married to the daughter of (r) Brigadier Liaqat Bokhari (SJ).[5]
Military career
Shah was commissioned into the Baloch Regiment of the Pakistan Army in 1971 from the 47th Long Course of the Pakistan Military Academy.[12] It was the most junior course to fight in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[13] He served as the Colonel commandant of the Baloch Regiment.[14] His last appointment in the Army was as Chief of Logistics Staff at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.[2]
Aide to Governor of Balochistan
Shah had served as ADC to the Governor of Balochistan, Ahmad of Kalat from 1974 to 1976.[15]
Aide to Musharraf
Shah was appointed as Military Secretary to President Musharraf, replacing Nadeem Taj. He took charge on 25 December 2003, the same day when there was a suicide attack on Musharraf in Rawalpindi.[16] As his aide, he was actively involved in his two major diplomatic initiatives. First, to normalize strained relations with neighboring India, back-channel diplomacy was initiated to resolve the contentious issue of Kashmir. Participated in many meetings between Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meetings and in Dehli in 2005.[17]
The back-channel contacts and meetings lead to the formalization of Musharraf-Manmohan 'Four Point' Formula which was to be inked during Manmohan Singh visit to Pakistan in July 2007[18] but due to the events leading up to the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency & judicial crisis in Pakistan, the scheduled visit was cancelled and with it extinguished the hope of resolution of Kashmir dispute. Second, Musharrafs' initiative of a rapprochement with Israel through informal contacts.[19] Musharraf attended a dinner by the Jewish community in honor of him in New York on the sidelines of the September 2005 UN General Assembly meeting.[20]
As Commander IV Corps
Shah was made Commander IV Corps after the retirement of Commander IV Corps Lt. Gen. Shahid Aziz. Shafaat is credited with many firsts in the Army, his focus was on healthcare, education and in institution building.
As Commander IV Corps he is the patron of the medical college associated with Combined Military Hospital Lahore.[21] Both the institutions were inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf on 11 November 2006.[citation needed] CMH Lahore's Medical College was graded as the best medical college in Pakistan by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council in 2020.[citation needed]
He established the Cardiac Centre, Trauma and Diagnostic centers at CMH Lahore.[22] To acknowledge the sacrifices of those who lost lives in various wars and conflicts, he established a ‘Shuhada Memorial at a corps level. He also constructed a park, depicting the heritage of Pakistan and models of historic buildings, at Lahore Cantonment. The first outlet of Carrefour Departmental store in Pakistan was also opened at the Fortress Stadium, Lahore during his tenure. During Shah's tenure, to support to a government initiative to establish a new university in Pakistan, the Pakistan Army’s Lahore Corps donated 80 Acres of Defence Housing Authority land, to the Graz University of Technology to establish its campus.[23] The entire program was later shelved by the Pakistan People's Party government.[citation needed] Defence Raya Golf Resort was made during his tenure.[citation needed]
Retirement
Shah retired on 9 November 2009 after serving as Chief Logistics Staff at the GHQ.
Later life
After Shah's retirement, he served as the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Jordan.[24] He is the author of "Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan", published in 1983. He has also written regularly for various magazines and newspapers. He was part of the Ottawa Dialogue on Track II diplomacy.
Ambassador to Jordan
As Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan, also accredited to the State of Palestine, Shafaat Ullah Shah made a first ever contribution of launching a book in Arabic, compiled by a Jordanian prominent writer on the unresolved issues of Kashmir and Palestine.[25][26] It has a reservoir of documents on the historical genesis, UN resolutions and photographs along with interviews of major stake holders including his views. He further strengthened close relations between Pakistan and Jordan and was involved in the sale of Cobra helicopters and F-16 aircraft from Jordan to Pakistan.[27]
The volume of trade between Pakistan-Jordan increased manifolds through his focus. He along with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, later Prime Minister of Pakistan, represented the state at World Economic Forum moot at Dead Sea resort in Jordan. Through lectures at various Jordanian Universities and interactions with Parliamentarians, intelligentsia, Think tanks and Military establishments, he promoted the understanding of Pakistan and its contributions in fight against terrorism.<[27] He was an exponent of Pakistan establishing informal relations with Israel. Through regular visits and interactions, he fostered sense of patriotism and belonging amongst Pakistan community, besides addressing their long outstanding issues. As Ambassador to Palestine, he constituted the Pakistan – Palestine Friendship Association comprising of Palestinians who had been educated in various institutions in Pakistan. President Mahmud Abbas of Palestine visit to inaugurate the new building of Palestinian Embassy in Islamabad was arranged and coordinated by him.
2021 Pandora Papers leaks
It was reported in the Pandora Papers leaks by the ICIJ that Shah's wife allegedly bought a $1.2 million flat in London through an offshore transaction in 2007.[28] He wrote on Twitter that the property's value was less than half of what was quoted in the leak, and that it is not illegal to buy property in the United Kingdom through an offshore company.[28][29]
He also doubted the intentions of the journalists who reported the story. He further tweeted that "One of the journalists involved with investigations, [Malia] Pulitzer, has recently stayed in India for 2 years and it is a typical RAW practice to malign Pakistan Army officers with criminals".[28]
The names of more than 700 Pakistanis, including PPP and PTI ministers, were brought to light by the ICIJ in October 2021.[30]
Effective dates of promotion
| Insignia | Rank | Date |
|---|---|---|
  |
Lieutenant General | November 2005 |
  |
Major General | January 2000 |
  |
Brigadier | July 1995 |
 |
Colonel | Promoted directly to Brigadier |
 |
Lieutenant Colonel | August 1988 |
| |
Major | July 1977 |
 |
Captain | June 1973 |
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Lieutenant | January 1972 |
_Pakistan_Army.svg){kind=small} |
Second Lieutenant | 14 November 1971 |
Awards and decorations
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| Hilal-i-Imtiaz
(Crescent of Excellence) | ||||
| Tamgha-e-Diffa
(General Service Medal) |
Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War
(War Star 1971) |
Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War
(War Medal 1971)' | ||
| Tamgha-e-Baqa
1998 |
Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan
2002 |
10 Years Service Medal | ||
| 20 Years Service Medal | 30 Years Service Medal | 35 Years Service Medal | ||
| Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-
(100th Birth Anniversary of 1976 |
Hijri Tamgha
(Hijri Medal) 1979 |
Jamhuriat Tamgha
(Democracy Medal) 1988 |
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha
(Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990 |
Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan
(Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) |
References
- ^ "New Pakistani ambassador presents credentials". 14 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk (Press release).
- ^ "Reshuffle in Pakistan army as new government takes office". Reuters. 25 March 2008.
- ^ "Prime Minister Imran Khan promised 'new Pakistan' but members of his inner circle secretly moved millions offshore - ICIJ". 3 October 2021.
- ^ a b Shafaat Shah [@infantry28] (5 December 2019). "My father in law,Brig Liaqat Bokhari SJ( Retd) who was commanding only Aviation squadron in erstwhile E. Pak has written a book on account of military operations at age 87. He did not surrender on 16 Dec71 & flew helicopters with 169 women & children through Burma to then W. Pak" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk (Press release).
- ^ "The Ethics of Military Profession". www.hilal.gov.pk.
- ^ "Pakistan's Army Chief Replaces Commanders Promoted by Musharraf". Voanews.com. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Our Inspector Generals | Punjab Prisons". Prisons.punjab.gov.pk. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Proud Abtonians". Abbottabad Public School.
- ^ "National Assembly Secretariat - Questions for Oral Answers and their Replies" (PDF). National Assembly of Pakistan. 2 November 2018.
- ^ Lt Gen Shafaat Ullah Shah (R). "Fall of East Pakistan Remembered". Hilal English.
- ^ John, Wilson (September 2007). "Pakistan: New Generals on the Block" (PDF). ORF Issue Brief. 11. Observer Research Foundation: 4–5.
- ^ "Installation Ceremony Colonel Commandant of the Baloch Regiment". Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) (Press release). 26 April 2008.
- ^ Shafaat Shah [@INFANTRY28] (6 July 2019). "I had known MG Bukhara when he was IG FC & I was ADC to Governor Baluchistan.A very handsome, composed & professional officer.May Allah Bless his soul.I am amazed how his daughter can be so anti Pakistan & anti that very Army for which her father had pledged to lay even his life?" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 October 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "The reality of Pulwama incident". The Express Tribune. 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Musharraf Begins Visit to India". The Irish Times. 16 April 2005.
- ^ "Kashmir: The Way Forward". Hilal For Her. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022.
- ^ "2005: When Pakistan and Israel explored closer bilateral ties". Dawn. 30 October 2018.
- ^ "Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16 - Speech of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to the American Jewish Council for World Jewry". United States Government Publishing Office. 27 September 2005. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
- ^ "Role of medical profession highlighted". 17 December 2007.
- ^ "No PR-166/2008 of March, 29, 2008". Inter Service Public Relations (Press release).
- ^ "Work opens on S&T varsity". Dawn. 19 November 2006.
- ^ "Deep-rooted, brotherly relations". 31 August 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan's 70th Independence Day marked in Jordan". The News International. Amman. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017.
- ^ "Pakistan's 71st Independence Day celebrated in Jordan". Geo TV. Amman. 15 August 2017.
- ^ a b Dana Al Emam (22 March 2017). "Amman-Islamabad relations at their best — Pakistani ambassador". Jordan Times.
- ^ a b c "Shafaat Shah reacts to Pandora Papers, says property transaction misrepresented". www.geo.tv.
- ^ "Gen (R) Shafaat Shah offers clarification after being named in Pandora Papers". The Pakistan Daily. Islamabad. 4 October 2021.
- ^ "More than 700 Pakistanis named in Pandora Papers leak". 3 October 2021.