Agha Ibrahim Akram

Agha Ali Ibrahim Akram (22 September 1923 — 4 March 1989) better known as A. I. Akram, was a Pakistani former three-star rank general, military strategist, historian, diplomat, and one of Pakistan's most influential military historians.

In the 1980s, he was a well-known defence analyst and expert. His most popular work was his biography of Khalid ibn al-Walid, The Sword of Allah, which he published while serving in the military. For several years, it was compulsory reading in the Pakistan Army for admission into the Command and Staff College Quetta and has been on the leadership syllabus in the Malaysian Army. Akram was once seen as a close confidant and conceptual adviser of President Zia-ul-Haq.

He served in several key positions including as Pakistan's Permanent Military Representative to the Central Treaty Organization in Ankara, sixth Colonel Commandant of the Frontier Force Regiment, Deputy Martial Law Administrator of Zone F under Presidents General Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, General Officer Commanding 7th Infantry Division, Military Secretary at GHQ, and Colonel Staff HQ 15th Division.

Akram dedicated his books, The Muslim Conquest of Egypt and North Africa to his son Hassan, The Muslim Conquest of Spain to his son Masood, The Falcon of The Quraish: Abdur Rahman The Immigrant of Spain to his brother Mahmud, and The Rise of Cordoba to his late wife Loge. He was fluent in Urdu, English, Farsi, Arabic, and Spanish, learning the latter two for research.

Throughout the 1980s, Akram was vocal about his opposition to nuclear weapons, suggesting that Pakistan and other developing countries should use their resources towards generating nuclear energy. He expected that by the end of the 20th century, only about 10 countries would have nuclear weapons.