Pakistan's new ISI chief shares tenuous link with Shah Rukh Khan

Pakistan's new ISI chief shares tenuous link with Shah Rukh Khan
Monday, March 12, 2012 11:12 IST
Pakistan's new ISI chief, Lt Gen Zahir-ul-Islam, is the nephew of Indian National Army hero Shah Nawaz Khan and through him, shares a tenuous link with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

Islam's father served as a brigadier in the Pakistan Army and Shah Nawaz Khan, who was a major general in the INA led by Subhas Chandra Bose, was his uncle, leading Pakistani defence analyst Ikram Sehgal told.

"One son of Shah Nawaz Khan went with him at the time of Partition, while another, Mahmood Nawaz, stayed on in Pakistan and became a full colonel.

In fact, Mahmood Nawaz went and met his father only after retirement as he could not travel to India while he was in service," Sehgal said, providing details of the new ISI chief's extended family.

Shah Rukh Khan's late mother Lateef Fatima was the adopted daughter of Shah Nawaz Khan, according to the Bollywood star's biography on several websites.

Islam, who was yesterday appointed the new head of the powerful spy agency by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, comes from a military family and was born in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. It could not immediately be ascertained whether Islam had ever met Shah Nawaz Khan, who died in 1983.



Shah Nawaz Khan was himself born at Kahuta and served in the British Indian Army during World War II. He was captured when Japanese troops overran Singapore in 1942 and then joined the INA. He subsequently fought alongside Japanese forces against the British in Burma (now Myanmar).

Shah Nawaz Khan was captured by the British and put on trial with other INA officers in 1946. They were convicted for treason but were discharged due to intense pressure from the public.

He later joined the Congress party and was elected to the Lok Sabha four times. Before Islam's appointment as the ISI chief, some media reports had suggested that Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan's uncle Maj Gen Isfandyar Ali Khan Pataudi, a deputy director general in the spy agency, was in the running for the top slot.

However, sources told that Pataudi was never seen as a serious contender for the post of ISI chief.
Maalik Trailer: Rajkummar Rao's Grittiest Avatar Yet in a High-Octane Action Drama!

Tips Films and Northern Lights Films have officially unveiled the powerful trailer of Maalik, an explosive

Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Sarzameen First Look: Kajol, Prithviraj And Ibrahim Ali Khan Shine in Kayoze Irani's Patriotic Drama!

JioHotstar has unveiled the first look of its much-anticipated patriotic drama ‘Sarzameen’, and it’s already

Monday, June 30, 2025
Ajay Devgn Drops Action-Packed 'Son of Sardaar 2' Teaser: A Rollercoaster Ride of Romance, Comedy And Chaos!

Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn has ignited excitement among fans by unveiling the official teaser of 'Son of Sardaar 2', the much-anticipated

Thursday, June 26, 2025
Sparks Fly, Stars Align - Saiyaara's Humsafar is Here to Steal Hearts!

Yash Raj Films & Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara is the best romantic album of the year and the fourth song from

Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Highly Anticipated Films releasing this July- From Maalik to Son of Sardaar 2!

This July, cinema lovers are in for a treat as the big screen lights up with a bold and diverse lineup. From the

Monday, June 23, 2025