Lahore: Fifty-fifth death anniversary of first President of Pakistan Sikandar Mirza is being observed today. Iskandar Mirza was born in Murshidabad, Bengal on November 13, 1899. He pursued education at Elphinstone College in Bombay and was admitted to the Royal Military College Sandhurst in the UK during his college career.
According to Radio Pakistan, Sikandar Mirza joined the 2nd Scottish Rifle Regiment at Kohat in 1921 and participated in the battle at Khudadad Khel. In 1942, he was appointed Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. Following the establishment of Pakistan, Sikandar Mirza was nominated as the first secretary of the Ministry of Defence.
On August 6, 1955, due to the ill health of Governor General Malik Ghulam Muhammad, he became the Acting Governor General. Subsequently, on March 5, 1956, he was elected the first President of Pakistan. Iskandar Mirza passed away in London on November 13, 1969.