Wajid Ali Khan Burki
Lieutenant-General Wajid Ali Khan Burki MBE (1900–1988), was a high-profile military official who served as Minister-in-Charge of the Ministry of Health under the military government of Field Marshal Ayub Khan.[1]
Wajid Ali Khan Burki | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1900 |
| Died | 1988 |
| Allegiance |  |
| Years of service | 1928-1968 |
| Rank |  |
| Unit | Pakistan Army Medical Corps |
| Commands held | Pakistan Army Medical Corps Army Medical College Combined Military Hospital Ministry of Health |
| Battles/wars | World War II Indo-Pakistani war of 1947 Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 |
| Awards | Order of the British Empire |
Burki was one of the leading active-duty military official who played an influential role in advising and formulating the Health reforms and policies of the Ayub Khan Military administration. General Burki was Ayub Khan's right-hand man, and was instrumental in Ayub Khan's rise to power. Until today the three families (Ayub, Burki and Nawab Kalabagh) retain adjoining houses in Islamabad as part of their service in the creation of Islamabad. He served as the Vice-Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the commander in chief in the Prime Minister's absence. He and another person at the time were the two major founders of the capital city of Islamabad, forming it from a mostly barren area of land. In many different ways, he played an important part in the history of Pakistan.
An army surgeon by training, General Burki played a significant role in the development of the Army's medical facilities, especially AFIP Rawalpindi and the Combined Military Hospital Network. He was knighted MBE (Order of the British Empire) 15 November 1945 by King George VI for Medical Service during World War II.
Family
Gen Burki had three sons, including Javed Burki, Jamshed Burki, and Nausherwan Burki