Ayub Khan, Mohammad (1907-1974), Pakistani military and political leader; president of Pakistan from 1958 to 1969. Ayub Khan grew up in a village in the Hazara district of northwest Pakistan. His father was a noncommissioned officer in the British Indian Army. After his early education in local schools and two years at a university, Ayub Khan was admitted to the Royal Military College in Sandhurst, England. He received his commission in the British Indian Army in 1928. While serving in the 14th Punjab Regiment during World War II, Ayub Khan saw action in Burma against the Japanese forces. In 1947, when the British colony of India was partitioned into the two states of India and Pakistan, Ayub Khan joined the Pakistan Army. He was posted General Officer Commanding in East Pakistan in 1948 and 1949. In 1951 he was appointed full general and commander in chief of the Pakistan Army.

As commander in chief Ayub Khan played a key role in negotiating Pakistan's entry into a number of military alliances sponsored by the United States. His opportunity to take over the presidency of Pakistan came in 1958 when President Iskander Mirza abrogated the constitution and imposed martial law in Pakistan. On 28 October 1958 Ayub Khan dismissed Mirza and proclaimed himself president.

General (later Field Marshal) Ayub Khan's rule is best remembered for the inconclusive 1965 border war with India over Kashmir, the "Basic Democracy," and the "Great Decade." "Basic Democracy," was represented by the constitution of 1962, which instituted indirect elections in Pakistan and gave the president extraordinary powers. The "Great Decade" was the official characterization of development plans executed during the ten years of the Ayub regime, providing special incentives for private enterprise and foreign investment. Ironically, just as the official celebrations of the Great Decade got underway a mass revolt broke out against the economic and political policies of the regime. Ayub Khan resigned in 1969, leaving the country once more under martial law.