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Archive for category HEROES OF PAKISTAN

In Memory of Gen Hamid Gul Asif Haroon Raja : Pakistan Think Tank Members Mourn Our Personal Loss of General Sahib

In Memory of Gen Hamid Gul

Asif Haroon Raja

 

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In Memory of Gen Hamid Gul

Asif Haroon Raja

An extremely sad, painful and soul searing event took place on the night of August 15, 2015. Renowned Gen Hamid Gul left this mortal world never to return. He was at Murree with his wife and other family members for recreation. While watching the TV program, at about 2030 hours he developed headache and his blood pressure shot up. He was rushed to CMH Murree at 2115 hours but fell unconscious en-route. The doctors couldn’t recover him and he died of brain hemorrhage at 2345 hours.  His body was brought to his residence in Askari Villas in Chaklala Scheme-3 in Rawalpindi at midnight. Very large numbers of people including high gentry kept pouring in throughout the day on August 16. Everyone was heartbroken and had a story to tell about the General. His sudden departure has left millions of mourners in all parts of the world in a state of utter shock and grief.

Funeral of 79 years old Gen Hamid Gul was held at Army Graveyard near racecourse ground Rawalpindi at 6 pm on August 16. The attendance was exceptionally large and many had to stay out due to lack of space. Gen Raheel Sharif gave shoulder to the coffin of the departed soul. He was laid to rest with honor at the best site amid touching scenes. Many were seen bitterly weeping who loved him as their father. Members of Tehreek-e-Jawanan Pakistan which Gen Gul had patronized and is led by Abdullah Gul, came with Pakistan flags and took part in last rites with tears in their eyes.

All TV channels kept flashing the news of his death after 12 pm on the night of 15/16 August and commentators paid glowing tributes to him for the services he rendered to the Army, nation and Islam. PM Nawaz Sharif and other senior politicians offered their condolences. People kept visiting the residence of Gen Gul the whole day on August 17 and Qul was arranged under the supervision of Abdullah Gul and his brother-in-law Air Cdre retd Yusaf Gul in the evening, which was also heavily attended.

Born in 1936 at Sargodha, Gen Hamid Gul’s family has their origins in Swat and hail from Mohmand tribe. He commenced his service in 19 Lancers in 1956 and took active part in 1965 war as squadron commander. During his service, he held all the high profile appointments but he came into prominence as head of Military Intelligence and later as DG ISI from March 1987 to 1989. He put new life in these two organizations and made them vibrant and fruitful. It was owing to his efforts that the ISI developed a strong long arm capability and became the best outfit in the developing world and dreaded by all. Later on, ISI transformed into best spy agency in the world. He was the blue eyed boy of late Gen Ziaul Haq under whom he had served as battalion commander, colonel staff and Ist Armed Division commander and had demonstrated his excellence in profession and commitment to duty. His outstanding contributions made in the last phase of Afghan Jihad and ending the war on a victorious note will be remembered for times to come. Afghans loved Gen Zia and Gen Hamid Gul and called them Mard-e-Mujahid. When opponents of Hamid Gul maliciously referred to him as ‘Father of Taliban’, he remarked, “I wish I had the strength and resources to help them”.

Gen Mirza Aslam Beg had recommended Gen Hamid Gul as his successor. His last active post was Corps Commander 2 Corps Multan (April 1989-August 1991). There he underwent a tragedy of death of his married daughter Mehreen Gul. Another setback he faced was his posting as Chairman Heavy Industries Taxila after he developed difference with COAS Gen Asif Nawaz Janjua. He decided to resign saying that he had joined the Army to become a fighting soldier and not a ironsmith. He was conferred with Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Sitara-e-Basalt.  After retirement, he never visited GHQ or ISI and never vied for a job and dedicated his services for the cause of unity of Ummah. In September 2013, he was persuaded and elected by members of The Pakistan Ex Servicemen Society (PESS) to take over as President of the Society, which offers no pay and perks. He spent money from his pocket to run the office kitchen and meet other essential expenditures since PESS has no funds. He tried hard to convert it into the world’s biggest NGO and a productive workforce both in peace and war and gave out his vision but unfortunately his dreams remained unfulfilled since he didn’t receive the backing of the Army. None deemed it fit to make good use of his stupendous talents and experience in intelligence and counter intelligence.         

A scrupulously honest and down to earth par excellence soldier and a thorough gentleman; he was blessed with extraordinary sterling qualities of head and heart. Endowed with a fertile mind, he had photogenic memory of historical and geographical facts. He was gifted with remarkable blend of forceful written and oral expression duly complemented by a reservoir of knowledge and acumen. Insightful and visionary, he could conceptualise and decipher things on a wider canvass. He had the knack of strategising and coming out with concrete logical conclusions as to what shape the emerging picture was taking and its impact on national, regional and global dynamics. He was alive to the problems faced by Muslim Ummah in general and Pakistan in particular and the conspiratorial role of the US led west, Israel and India. An ardent flag bearer of Islam and its ideology, he relentlessly worked for the interests of Pakistan and unity of Ummah and raised his voice against the adversaries of Islam and Ummah fearlessly.  

A devout Muslim, it was his daily routine not to sleep after Fajr prayers and to recite Quran till daybreak. He revered Holy Prophet (PBUH) and in every weekly meeting he chaired in PESS HQ, he would start the proceedings with a verse of Quran and sayings of Prophet Muhammad. He never tired of fondly quoting Quaid-e-Azam and would take pains to quote his speeches and statements indicating his quest to make Pakistan a true Islamic welfare state in line with Measakh-e-Medina. He drew inspiration from Allama Iqbal’s poetry and would often read it out adoringly. He was firm, focused and steadfast in his thought process and was of the view that application of Islamic system in accordance with Quran and Sunnah as spelled out in Objectives Resolution was the only remedy to address the multiple ailments which afflict Pakistan. He was fiercely against the Anglo-Saxon laws saying they were flawed and pro-rich and was a strong exponent of Sharia laws.

An affectionate and caring senior, he seldom lost his temper on his subordinates and would go all out to help anyone approaching him. He had the skill of captivating the audience with his brilliant oratory, astuteness and charisma. Handsome man and bestowed with graceful personality, demeanor and a sweet tongue, he was a born fighter and spoke with authority on any subject and none could outdo him in arguments. An unusually bold, blunt and forthright person, he would express his views candidly and would never mince his words to call a spade a spade. When Gen Musharraf called him in his office after his takeover and informed him that he was his ideal and wanted his support and offered him office of his choice, Gen Gul told him that he didn’t need any office but wanted an assurance from him that he would not compromise on Kashmir and nuclear issues, he will work towards implementation of Islamic system and build rapport with people rather than with USA and lastly carryout strict across the board accountability. Alas! His wise councils were ignored. In July 2014, he presented himself for accountability and asked other PESS members to follow suit to set an example for others. He neither carried any financial baggage nor had any skeletons in his cupboard.

Gen Hamid Gul was not only admired and respected in Pakistan but had lot many admirers abroad particularly among the Arab countries, Turkey, Iran and China. He was seen by his admirers as Salahuddin Ayubi and Tipu Sultan of this time. Many came from abroad on return flights to pay homage to their ideal. All TV channels hungered to seek his interviews/comments on current issues. He led a full and spirited life and never compromised on principles despite the worldly trials and tribulations he had to bear with in his domestic life and the stings of his adversaries.

Gen Hamid Gul has returned to the Creator, but he has left behind a vacuum and a legacy which will be remembered with fondness and often quoted by historians in rich words. He has left behind ailing widow, two sons Umar Gul and Abdullah Gul, a daughter Uzma Gul and seven grandchildren. Hopefully, his son Abdullah Gul will keep his illustrious father’s legacy alive. May God rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant the deceased all the rewards of life hereafter and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. Ameen.    

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IS THIS A NEW DAWN FOR PAKISTAN OR YET ANOTHER MIRAGE?

IS THIS A NEW DAWN FOR PAKISTAN OR YET ANOTHER MIRAGE?

By

 

 Saeed Malik

 

 

 

Gen R.Shariff
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asif Zardari’s recent round of yelping is a sure sign of pain issuing from the realization that the cycle of immunity from prosecution for multifarious acts in an unending saga of unchecked criminality might finally be coming to an end.
The possibility that the bonding partnership in crime and immunity between  the political parties, established by the unwritten lines of the “Charter of Democracy” is finally about to be dismantled, andthat mega corruption may at last find itself a place among the lowest depths of ultimate dishonour in our society, as also being recognized as the ultimate  existential threat to us as a country.
 

And if, as is rumoured, Gen Raheel is also holding the corrupt generals  to task, Pakistan will surely get a second lease of life. And if this happens it will be due directly to honest and dedicated leadership, which Pakistan has not been acquainted with, from the time that  Jinnah was lowered into the ground.

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It is all a matter of throwing the book at 400 people to save 200 million. Thus there should be no fear, and all the incentive, in doing so.

 

As long as the people of Pakistan FEEL that an era of justice for them, and accountability for the high and mighty who have done little but to rob them of hope and their dreams is about to dawn, they will back Gen Raheel and the army in all that it is doing. And the army should draw great confidence from the fact that its approval rating among the people already stands at over 80%.

 

The danger in all this is that as more and more of the filth of the current political leadership is revealed, the more strident will the calls for the imposition of martial law. These calls have to be resisted. Falling into the trap of martial law will cost the army its professionalism and its credibility, as has happened often in the past.

And while resisting such calls, it should be kept in mind that immunity to PML should under no circumstances be a given. All of them are birds of a feather, and they are brothers in crime under the terms of the Charter of Democracy. It is only the willfully blind who cannot see this even now.As crime after crime is being uncovered and exposed by the Rangers and the agencies, is there even a whimper of disapproval, much less outraged condemnation of such crimes coming from the likes of such stalwart democrats as Mulla Fazal, Asfandyar Wali, Achakzai, Aitzaz Ahsan, Reza Rabbani, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, and the great Sharif brothers? Are they all not acting as if they are positively miffed at the army for attempting to retrieve the fortunes of the country from their unholy claws?

To effectively charge the corrupt so that they pay back their dues to society, and to ensure their reservation in the clink,the law will have to be changed, whereby the mega thieves should be considered guilty unless they can prove themselves innocent. All their assets, [minus their proven inherited wealth] need being added up; the authenticity of their declared earnings should be examined;  and  a quantification [in monetary terms] of their living expenses should be made. Their assets and living expenses should then be weighed against authentic, proven income, and these should be weighed against the taxes they have given. And if there is an imbalance between their assets and proven income, or between their assets and the taxes they have paid, they should be held to be guilty, and jailed till they have returned the thieved amount plus back taxes, plus an additional fine in proportion to the scale of their theft. And their terms in jail should not be eased by conferring upon them a class of confinement reserved for the common criminals which they undoubtedly are.

And there is nothing new nor “undemocratic” about this. The IRS in the U.S moves more or less precisely this way.

It is the call of the hour to save the country from the ravages of its

so called​

“democrats” who, with few exceptions, have gutted their motherland. And if Gen Raheel starts with the generals, he will have the people raving for him as he moves ahead.

By now, it is quite clear, that the army has tons of evidence of theft, of robbery, of extortion,of murder, of prostitutes [some now pregnant] being used to launder billions of rupees, of qabza and auction of thousands of acres of land, of government auctioning off positions in officialdom, and of outright treachery [witness the memogate affair and related issues.]

Has there ever been such a coordinated effort at eroding the very foundations of the state by the people who have been “voted” in to safeguard and strengthen these very foundations, and to provide good governance and justice to its people??

Armed with all this evidence, the following needs to be done, to recover the country from the fatal gift of Musharraf’s NRO:

– The generals need to meet to assess the sheer gravity of the situation as regards national security, brought about directly by the ravages of the very people sworn to serve the country and its people.

-To formally resolve to put this situation right, through direct intervention, but not by imposition of military rule, and as far as is possible to avoid recourse to this extreme measure.

-Every general should sign this resolution so that each is personally vested in it, and also so that should they veer from it and allow themselves to be swayed away for considerations of personal power, they could one day be held accountable.

-Make a reference to the Supreme Court for an in- camera hearing, with a plea to find the government, at the very least, criminally negligent in the discharge of its duties, so that it is dismissed, and an interim set up  takes its place, and fresh elections are announced.

 

The following ordinances need to be enacted immediately upon investiture of the interim government:

  • ​To put the country under emergency rule with the army brought in, in aid of civil power till new elections are held, and the new parliament is firmly settled.
  • ​No one charged for corruption be allowed to stand for elections unless first cleared of such charges.
  • All the people so charged, be considered guilty unless the taxes they have paid are in proportion of the wealth they have garnered; and the assets they hold are in proportion to the income they can justify…..such people be tried by military courts, where it is a question of comparatively simple tabulation of wealth accumulated against taxes paid, so that the usual objections of competence or otherwise of military courts is not brought into question.
  • ​Police and civil servants are granted statutory guarantees such that never again is there a danger of their status falling to that of becoming personal servants of those in government. And having done this, to ensure that the best of them are then given the most important assignments. If need be the finest of such officers who have been wasted out of service in the recent past, should be recalled to service, to heal the decimation which these services have suffered at the hands of the “royalty” which has passed itself off as elected democrats. It must be realized that the best of our civil servants and police officers are in no way inferior to our better army officers. And but for the protection that the institution affords the military officers, they themselves  would have fared no better than their brothers in the civil. Such officers properly placed and supported by the army will imporve governance and make martial law redundant.
  • Immediately after fresh elections, the 18th amendment, this monstrous piece of legislation thought out by Raza Rabbani to imperil the unity of the country, should be sent to the trash heap.
 
The bottom line in our recovery from terminal illness as a society and a country lies in the hope that the arch criminals at the helm of the state be dealt with by the same fearlessness, with which they have prostituted their powers in the destruction of all that is sacred and valuable about their country.
 
Ultimately it is a question of bringing a few hundred people to the book so that the future of 200 million is redeemed. The army has promised this four times earlier and failed. It failed because the promise on the back of which it came to power each time, was never meant to be kept. If this time finally the intent is different, so will be the results. And if this is so, this batch of generals will have earned the undying gratitude of millions today, and many more who are to follow. All they need to ask themselves is whether giving their last full measure of devotion to their country will be worth the toil or not.
 
P.S.
At the first opportune moment the government should be forced to disclose all the secret clauses of the LPG deal with Qatar. But before doing this, they should all be put on ECL. I have a suspicion that when such a disclosure is forced on the government, there will be a mad rush for the exits.

 

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PAKISTAN’S HERO :PIFFERS: CHARGE OF THE BULLS 35 FF AND SHAHADAT OF COL AKRAM RAJA

PIFFERS: CHARGE OF THE BULLS 35 FF AND SHAHADAT OF COL AKRAM RAJA – 17 DECEMBER 1971

 

 

CHARGE OF THE BULLS 35 FF AND SHAHADAT OF COL AKRAM RAJA- 17 DECEMBER 1971
 
       Dear Editor  
 
       Pakistan Army Surrendered on 16 Dec 1971 at Dacca. But the war in West Pakistan continued for another Day, Some of the Senior Officers in West Pakistan for face saving and to earn some personal gain, committed the blunder of launching units in counter attacks ill prepared in various sectors. Two glaring Examples are 8 Armed Brigade Counter Attack in BARA PIND and 35 FF Attack in the same sector. In both the cases Unit Commanders/ junior commanders were sacrificed by the incompetent Brigade/ Division and Corps Commander in Sialkot Sectors.
 
           An excellent Book has been written by Col Imtiaz Ul Haque about this battle, published by Asim welfare Society, Model Town Lahore. Col Imtiaz participated in

the attack as company commander and was wounded.  The officer has given a very detailed account of the Battle. The unit sacrificed their lives due to failure in Command and staff Planning at all levels. This is evident from the unit’s move from Chaman/ Baluchistan on 29 September 1971 to the desert in Sind. Thereafter on 4 December 1971 to Fort Abbas, then to Sialkot Sector under 1 Corps on 14 December,  on the evening of 16 December to Pindi Purbian  for counter attack on the morning of 17 Dec 1971 in Jarpal area in 1 Corps. The unit kept Shuttling between three different brigade areas from 14 December to 17 December, with no clear orders. The Commanding Officer was denied any Reconnaissanc of the objective, in Day light Hours.  Poor Staff Planning at the GHQ and Command failure at Corps/Division and Brigade level. It also raises a important question; Was this Attack really needed after Surrender at DACCA on 16 December and ceasefire between INDIA AND PAKISTAN in the Afternoon of 17 Dec 1971? Perhaps all our Generals should read and keep by their bed side “Psychology of Military Incompetence, by Norman Dixon”

 
      Col Akram Raja the Commanding officer embraced Shahdat along with  three officers, a JCO and 56 NCOs and JAWANS. The Bengali officers of the unit fought Gallantly along side their West Pakistani brethren, Lt Shahid Ullah from East Pakistan Embraced Shahdat. 
 
          The Humood Rahman Commission had recommended action against all the COMMANDERS from Corps Commander down to Brigade level but no action was taken against any one.
 
     I wish this Book had been published by the author sometime in late seventies or at least when the Author had finalized the draft and got the approval of GHQ for its publication in 1987.
 
Regards
 
Lt Col Muhammad Shahbaz Thuthaal (Retd)
17 Punjab Regt.
 
DHA- EME sector, Multan road, LAHORE.
 
PICTURES OF PIFFERS

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Brave Son of Pakistan: A National Hero:Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (SJ, S Bt and President’s Award for Pride of Performance) : CICF thanks government for renaming a road to Cecil Chaudhry Road

CICF thanks government for renaming a road to Cecil Chaudhry Road

cecil roadLAHORE: The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) applauds the initiative taken by the government of Pakistan to rename a portion of Lawrence Road Lahore to “Cecil Chaudhry Road”.

Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (SJ, S Bt and President’s Award for Pride of Performance) was a national hero, a highly decorated war veteran, a legend of the Pakistan Air Force, an acclaimed human rights activist, and an inspiration for all Pakistanis. He was bestowed with numerous honours from gallantry awards to equally high peace time citations for his bravery and courage.

A grand and befitting ceremony was organized by the Pakistan Air Force in which Air Officer Commanding Central Air Command Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan was the Chief Guest. The Chief Guest Air Vice Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan paid glowing tributes to all the aspects of Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry’s life by honouring him as an ace fighter pilot of the PAF, an accomplished educationist and an acclaimed human rights activist. He ended his tribute by stating “I leave you with one last thought; there is a Cecil Chaudhry in every Pakistani, so let us bring him out in our spirits, so that the nation may reap the harvest of his courage and goodness. ”

Michelle Chaudhry, President of The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation and eldest among Cecil Chaudhry’s four children said, “We appreciate this initiative taken by the Chief Minister Punjab for recognizing and honouring the services rendered by our father Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry. Lawrence Road holds great significance in the life of our father as this is the road where St Anthony’s High School is located and he not only received his schooling from this school but also served as Principal of this institute for fourteen years.”

A citation was read out recognizing the services of the Group Captain to the Air Force and the country at large besides the tribute documentary by Pakistan Air Force. A plaque was unveiled by the Chief Guest which was later fixed on to prominent portion of the road.  The CICF President also expressed her deep gratitude to the Pakistan Air Force for organizing the event.

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RAJPUT SON OF PAKISTAN DR.HAATHI SINGH SERVING THE PEOPLE: Healing hands: A doctor among the dunes

If you’re a resident of Achhro Thar – the vast ‘white desert’ that connects Pakistan to India’s Rajasthan – and you feel unwell, who’re you gonna call? Well, owing to patchy signals in the area, you may be unable to give someone a phone call, but if you climb atop the nearest sand dune and call out for Dr Haathi Singh, the good doctor will reach you as soon as he hears your cry.

By Hafeez Tunio

Published: April 29, 2014

“It is not possible for me to cover the entire Achhro Thar area, but I try to attend to as many patients as I can,” says Dr Haathi Singh. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KHIPRO: 

If you’re a resident of Achhro Thar – the vast ‘white desert’ that connects Pakistan to India’s Rajasthan – and you feel unwell, who’re you gonna call? Well, owing to patchy signals in the area, you may be unable to give someone a phone call, but if you climb atop the nearest sand dune and call out for Dr Haathi Singh, the good doctor will reach you as soon as he hears your cry.

Dr Singh, the only MBBS doctor in the area, and his emergency medical kit has been traversing the desert on a ‘camel ambulance’ for ten years now. “It is not possible for me to cover the entire Achhro Thar area,” Dr Singh tells The Express Tribune, “But I try to attend to as many patients as I can.” After years of voluntary service, Dr Singh now also works at the Saeedao Government Dispensary, the only medical facility catering to an area of 4,000 square kilometers.

Dr. Singh belongs to the Thakur, Rajput clan of Rab Laho village, residents of Khipro Tehsil in Sanghar district, located adjacent to the Pak-India border. After receiving his primary education in his village, Dr Singh moved to Hyderabad for higher secondary education. In 1997, he was an MBBS student at Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro and after completing his house job, he returned to his home to tend to those living here. “During my childhood I used to see dying animals and poor ailing people unattended by doctors,” Dr Singh explains. “My father wished for me to become a typical ‘Thakur’ who could manage his livestock business, but I was curious to do something different.”

Soon after he graduated, the Sindh Agriculture and Forestry Workers Coordinating Organization (Safwco) came calling. They were seeking a professional doctor who could work in the community as part of their volunteer program.  “Since there is no road in the entire desert area here, people use camels and donkeys as their mode of transport,” Dr Singh says. Thus, Safwco provided the doctor with a ‘camel ambulance’ equipped with medical kit. Soon he was treating up to 30 patients a day. Dr Singh remained with Safwco for nearly five years before moving on to a government job. He now received Rs20,000 in addition to his salary as ‘hard area allowance’, monetary incentives offered to professionals working in this area.

Locals here speak of Dr Singh as a ‘godsend’. “In case of emergency, we have to call someone in Sanghar or Khipro to arrange a jeep to move the patient to the hospital,” said Atta Muhammad Rajar of Tarr Khatho Rao village. “Both towns are 70 to 100 kilometers away from our homes and we have to pay Rs5,000 to travel the two-hour distance.” While Dr Singh removes the need for such travel, Rajar says he is ‘no less than an angel’ for the villagers as he accepts payment for his services whenever his patients are able to arrange the finances to do so. “Most of the villagers pay him when they sell their animals,” Rajar says, “And he never ever argues with them over payment.”

Dr Singh provides first aid treatment to serious patients and then refers them to the district or taluka hospitals for further care. He reiterates the need for at least one hospital and a few basic health centres in order to remove the need for ‘quacks’ and to cater to patients who require immediate attention.

Even as the Thar region has made headlines this year for the drought conditions here, Suleman G Abro, a community development expert based in Sindh, says that the people of Achhro Thar remain marginalized. The neglect, however, is not limited to this year. A visit to more than two dozen villages here, for instance, revealed that there is only one graduate among the residents. A majority of children here work as herdsmen. While education remains a pressing need, so too are electricity and communication lines. “People here believe in Piri Muridi,” explains Abro. “They vote in the name of their murshid (spiritual leader) and elected representatives do not bother to resolve any of their problems. This vicious cycle goes on for many decades,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2014.Please visit The Express Tribune for More Pakistan Related Articles

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