The initial incident involved unfounded charges of treason and mutiny amid an alleged coup against President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's regime in 1973.

Crucially, the coup charges were exposed as manipulated accusations orchestrated by Chief of Air Staff Zafar Chaudhry who was later fired, his deputy Saeedullah Khan and Khaqan Abbasi.

Afterwards, it was revealed that the executive along with several Pakistani, Iranian, and Americans created the lie as they wanted to make money from shady defence deals being offered to the Pakistan Air Force.

[15] Reflecting on his time in the Air Force, Sajad wrote that the Americans coerced President Ayub Khan to let them establish a spy base at Badaber in Peshawar where Lockheed U-2 fighter planes operated from.

Haider remained engaged in advocating for the PAF's well-being while candidly critiquing its policies, emphasizing his passion for the institution despite the challenges he had faced towards the end of his career.

[18][19][20] In 2023, he was holding a placard in support of Imran Khan, when an Islamabad police officer approached him and began misbehaving, undermining the Commodore's efforts during the 1965 war by parroting him in a taunting way.

As a teenager, he aspired to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Quaid-e-Azam, who he saw at his old school in Quetta, sitting just six feet away, sparking the seed of his ambition to become a defender of Pakistan.

Despite the economic difficulties, he reflected that the harsh realities of war did not directly impact his childhood, thanks to his mother's significant sacrifices to ensure warmth and sustenance.

Syed Fazal Shah was also friends with Muhammad Ali Jinnah and was one of the pioneers of the All-India Muslim League (AIML), laying its foundations in Balochistan and Sindh.

Sajad recalled that his father never refused or protested if a patient had outstanding arrears, enduring irregular call timings, considerable distances, and various modes of transportation, ranging from a horse-drawn cart to a jeep and sometimes even horseback.

[1] Before they took off from Peshawar, Haider had arranged for towels drenched in buckets of eau de cologne stating to his men: "Boys we don’t know who will be the unlucky ones who won’t be able to dodge the enemy Ack-ack.

"[30] Haider painted a detailed picture of the Wagah Strike, shedding light on the precision and bravery exhibited by the young pilots under his command which played an instrumental role in altering the course of the war.

[1] The following day, Haider was called by his base commander who handed him a letter which included a tasking order, instructing No 19 Squadron to reconnoitre Avantipura airfield, Strafe any targets, then proceed to Srinagar to attack grounded aircraft.

“Squadron Leader Syed Sajad Haider displayed exceptional leadership, courage and flying skill in the operations against the enemy during the Indo-Pak War.

The strike mission which he led on 6th September 1965, against Pathankot airfield, where his formation destroyed 13 enemy aircraft including two MIG-21’s, was conducted in the best traditions of the Pakistan Air Force.

[34] He was offered a deal to get out early by two officials of the Air Intelligence, CA Waheed and Sibtain, who he referred to as Gestapo rats, in exchange for a false confessional statement against Zulfiqar Ali Khan in front of a magistrate, which Sajad refused to do.

IT IS THE UNANIMOUS DECISION OF THE COURT THAT THE ‘PLEA OF NO CASE’ IS ACCEPTED AND ACCUSED NO 13, GROUP CAPTAIN SAJAD HAIDER SAYED, STANDS EXONERATED AGAINST ALL CHARGES LEVELED AGAINST HIM.

They met Bhutto at Andrews AFB and proceeded to the President's Guest House before attending a private dinner at the residence of Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, the Pakistani Ambassador to the United States.

[39] The Vice President of a major Fortune 500 corporation, in 1974, requests Air attaché Sajad Haider, to give him his Swiss bank account number.

[15] Undeterred, the ousted Vice President collaborates with touts, including Pakistanis, Iranians, and Americans, all seeking to profit from questionable defence deals with the Pakistan Air Force.

The situation takes a precarious turn when Sajad is urgently summoned by the secretary of Ambassador Sahabzada Yaqub Khan during an early lunch one day.

CONSIDERING THE SENSITIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN IRAN AND PAKISTAN YOU ARE TO REPATRIATE THE AIR ATTACHÉ INSTANTLY.”[1]In the midst of the turmoil, Haider faced a surprising reassignment by the Ambassador, leaving him disheartened.

[40] In the face of potential consequences, Sajad spoke the following words to Zia-ul-haq in front of the entire gathering: "Mr. President, Pakistanis seem to live in a constant state of foreboding and terror of the intelligence agencies.

The gallant men of God, who are under oath to defend the people, the property, and the frontiers of this country, travel with outriders on motorcycles; red beacons flashing and sirens screaming to herald the approaching cavalcade.

Growing disillusionment with Zia's rule and absolute power led him to break free from the air force obsession, anticipating a new chapter outside.

[1] Sajad encountered Air Chief Anwar Shamim at the Islamabad Club, where he declined the offer to lead PAF Base Masroor, citing unease after confronting Zia-ul-Haq.

[41] In several noteworthy endorsements, various individuals, including Pushpinder Singh Chopra, state that, "Sajad Haider is the real and forever hero of the 1965 air war.

— Professor Khwaja Masud[1] "A brother and mentor, Sajad Haider inspired me in the very incipient stage of my career to always 'aim high', a lesson I never forgot and pursued with vigor.

— Former CAS of the PAF, Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak[1] "Sajad Haider is a flamboyant character with a quick wit and irrepressible daring.

The reader will be well served with fresh and candid accounts of some of the major events of the last fifty years now appearing in a different light devoid of the embellishments of those times.