General Rani

Akleem Akhtar (otherwise known as Aqleem Akhtar, General Rani[1] or Ra'annie Yahya Kahn) was a Pakistani madam who ran a brothel[2] in Rawalpindi in 1960s. She became the mistress of Pakistan Army general and future military dictator Yahya Khan and was known as the country's most powerful woman during his regime.[3]

Akleem Akhtar
Bornc. 1931/1932
Gujrat, Punjab, British India
Died1 July 2002(2002-07-01) (aged 70–71)
Lahore, Pakistan
Partner(s)Yahya Khan (1967-1971)
Children6
RelativesFakhar-e-Alam (grandson)
Adnan Sami

Early life

Akhtar was born in Gujrat in Punjab, British India in 1931 or 1932.[4] She married a Police Officer Moiz je, inhabitant of North Karachi (sector 11-L), much older than herself.[2] When on holiday in Murree, Akhtar removed her naqab in defiance of her husband and told him she was going to live her own life.[2]

The dramatic conclusion of Akhtar's marriage was a turning point in her life. In a May 2002 interview with Newsline, Akhtar stated:[5]

“I was determined to beat men at their own game. Since my husband was in the police, I had been observing men in positions of power throughout my married life and I had realised that all men in positions of power needed a vent and the vent they require the most is a bedmate provided through a reliable agency. The higher a man’s position, the greater his demand.”[2]

Thus Akhtar adopted a motto of ‘miyan ki juti miyan ke sir’ which means to 'beat men at their own game' and started a prostitution business.[2]

Akhtar had not acquired formal skills or qualifications to support an independent career but she had come to know many rich and powerful men through frequenting clubs with her former husband. She met General Yahya Kan via these means and a relationship between them developed.[2]

Relation to Yahya Khan

Due to Akhtar's close association with Yahya Khan and power she exercised due to the connection she was known as General Rani (General's Queen). She is said to have lovingly called Yahya Kahn Agha Jan. Akhtar held no official position, but she was given "full protocol". She denied she was Yahya Khan's "mistress" and claimed that they were merely friends.

Personal life

Akhtar and her husband had six children together in Akhtar's early years.

Akhtar is the grandmother of leading pop star Fakhre Alam.[6] A maternal niece of hers, Naureen, was the mother of singer Adnan Sami.[2]

Death

In May 2002, Pakistani media reported that Akhtar was suffering from breast cancer that has metastasised in her liver and kidney.[2]

Akhtar died of cancer on 1 July 2002, aged 73 (approx), at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore.[4]


See Also

References
  1. Paracha, Nadeem F. (28 March 2014). "The fascinating tale of General Rani". Friday Times.
  2. Nasir, Ayesha (4 May 2002). "Night of the General". Newsline. Newsline Publications. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  3. https://www.thefridaytimes.com/the-fascinating-tale-of-general-rani/
  4. "'Gen Rani' dies of cancer". Dawn.com. 2 July 2002. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  5. https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/the-rani-general-files-the-legacy-of-akleen-akhtar-lives-on-in-her-daughter/cid/1027330
  6. "Fakhar-e-Alam: Actor, VJ and Singer". Pakistan Herald. Gibralter Information Technologies.
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