Col. Dr. Altaf ur Rahman Khan, Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Mil)
Born on October 1, 1931 in the historic city of Nabha, India , Col. Dr. Altaf ur Rahman Khan, was the youngest of four brothers. His father, Khan Abdur Rahman Khan rose up in the Indian police department of the Princely State of Patiala to become the Inspector General of Police. After the partition of the colonial India in 1947 into present day Pakistan and India, Altaf, along with his family migrated to Pakistan. The suffering and loss of life he witnessed during the exodus remained imprinted on his mind throughout his life. On the one hand he wanted to help the ailing in whatever capacity he could however hailing from a family with a long history of warriors and men in uniform, he had a fondness for joining the military to serve his newly created and independent homeland Pakistan.
He decided to become a medical doctor and graduated from King Edwards Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan in 1958. Immediately after graduation at the age of 28 he joined Pakistan Army as a Captain in the Army Medical Corps (AMC). He served in the army in India-Pakistan wars and campaigns of 1960, 1962, 1965 and 1971 and was awarded several medals for his selfless services on the battle fronts. He was deputed to Pakistan Air Force in 1969 and served at various Air Force bases for the next 11 years. It was a time when he had the opportunity to remain connected with fighter aircraft flying and was deeply passionate about aviation physiology and medicine.
He retired honorably from the army in 1991 and soon after was appointed as the Director Medical Services for the 2.5 million Afghan Refugees displaced to Pakistan by the Afghan War. He continued his services for the health and rehabilitation of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan till 2009. For his long and meritorious services he was awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Medal, one of the highest national awards conferred by the President of Pakistan.
On the evening of August 9, 2009, during his daily routine walk, he sat down on a park bench in Islamabad, while watching the sun set, he peacefully passed away. He will be missed and remembered not just by his family and friends but also the numerous comrades in Pakistan army and Air force.
Awards & Decorations: Pakistan Defense Medal with Bar (Twice) 1960 & 1962, Medal of War 1965, Gallantry War Star (Kashmir Sector) 1965, War Star 1971, Star of Excellence (Mil) conferred by the President of Pakistan.

Graduated from KE Medical College, Lahore - 1958
Joined Pakistan Army Medical Corps - November 10, 1959
Deputed to Pakistan Air Force - 1969-1980
Senior Medical Officer PAF Base, Chaklala - August, 1969
Officer Commanding PAF Hospital, Peshawar - 1970-1972
On deputation to Saudi Arabia - 1973-1978
Officer Commanding PAF Hospital, Mianwali - 1978-1980
Commanding Officer Field Ambulance Unit, 23rd Div - 1980-1981
Director Medical Services for Afghan refugee camps - 1981-2009