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Saturday, July 11, 2026

"AS A FRIEND, ALLY & POWERFUL FORCE FOR FREEDOM"

JFK WELCOMES PRESIDENT KHAN OF PAKISTAN AT ANDREWS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 11, 1961, Ayub Khan*, president of Pakistan, arrived at Andrews Air Force Base "for a three day state visit."

President Khan was welcomed by President John F. Kennedy "as a friend, an ally and a powerful force for freedom."

Mr. Khan was accompanied by his daughter Begum Aurangzeb.

In remarks at the airport, President Kennedy spoke of his addiction to "tales of the Khyber Pass**" as a boy.

*Mohammad Ayub Khan (1907-1974) was born in Haripur, British India & served in the British Indian Army 1928-1947 & was commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army 1951-1958.  MAK was the President of Pakistan 1958-1969.

**Khyber Pass is a mountain pass along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.  It was the primary invasion route into the Indian subcontinent & was used by Alexander the Great & Genghis Khan.

SOURCE

"Kennedy Welcomes Pakistan President," by Mary McGrory, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 11, 1961, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 
 
President Khan & President Kennedy
Washington, D.C.
July 11 1961
Photo by Abbie Rowe
JFK Library