In memory of Maqsood Ahmed

(23 March 1958 - 15 January 2025)

It was hardly ten days before that Malik Waqar Aslam took his heavenly flight that our dear Maqsood too followed the suit and left us mourning on 25th January 2025.

Going by his age, perhaps he was the youngest of us all since most of us were born in years 1953-57 bracket. But perhaps his Divine plan had been fulfilled much earlier and was taken back to the heavens.

Final Term group photo of Ghaznavi Seniors 2. Maqsood stands extreme right

I do not have many photos of his, specially days of PMA or in uniform later. Perhaps he was camera shy and remained unspotted even by Nawab Sahib in PMA. 

Maqsood during 2011-2012 GTGs

A typical Maqsood laughter at Mangla 2011

Maqsood was very soft spoke and cheerful most of the times. I didn't have much interaction with him yet last year I unexpectedly got a call from him as he just wanted to be in contact. We spoke thereafter once or twice but being away from Lahore, did not have the chance to meet him. He was active member of activities of Lahore Chapter and was often spotted on such gatherings.

Get together on 3 Mar 08 in Zahir Khan’s office attended Iqbal, Tariq Sher, Akram, 

Hafiz Shafiq, Azhar, Tariq, Rauf, Zahir, Masood, Maan, Maqsood and Tariq Ch.

Lahore 15 January 2025 - The last glimpse before being obscured forever

Attendees of Maqsood's funeral at Lahore

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May Allah bless Maqsood and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in peace up in the heavens. Ameen. 

Please refer to our Reference Page to read about all those of us who have left us midway for their Heavenly abode.

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In memory of Malik Waqar Aslam

(1 October 1957 - 14 January 2025)

I knew Waqar Aslam right from first day when we landed in PMA on 12th May 1975 and more so because we were assigned the same platoon: Khalid-4. But before anyone in the platoon started to know him or for that matter each other, Waqar was boarded out on medical grounds. And that was the day I saw him last for he vanished and got lost in the vast sea of people outside the PMA.

Generally no one remembers those who leave right in the first term of PMA for affiliations take time to get established. Although I heard later in the service that he has become superintendent of police, yet due to very coarse means of communication, no contact with him could establish. In the meantime while we continued with our career in the army, Waqar joined the police department after joining the Commoners 10 group. And later retired as DIG as a PSP officer. Thereafter, he chose to be an advocate and rose to be a advocate of the Supreme Court.

It was just about a couple of years before that Jamil somehow got in contact with him and was immediately taken on board by the Lahore Chapter. And from then on I established telephonic communication and talked a number of times. Much that I wanted to meet him and reminisce memories of the old day. I wish I was here in Pakistan to have visited him in the hospital. And by the will of Allah, our meeting was not to take place as after a brief admittance in Shifa Hospital he boarded his heavenly flight on 14th January 2025. 

Last photo of Waqar with his son in law while admitted in Shifa Hospital. 

Remembering Waqar Aslam, Jamil writes:.

وقار اسلم کی اچانک وفات کی خبر سنکر دلی صدمہ ہوا۔ چند دن پہلے ہی میری شفا ھسپتال میں ملک وقار اسلم سے فون پر بات ہوئی تھی، اور یہ جان کر اطمینان ہوا تھا کہ وہ شدید بیماری کے باوجود بلند حوصلے سے اس بیماری کا مقابلہ کر رہا تھا اور بہادری سے اپنی صحتیابی کی جانب گامزن تھا۔اور ہماری طرح وقار بھی پُرامید تھا کہ وہ جلد مکمل صحت یاب ہو کر انشاءاللہ  گھر واپس لوٹےگا، مگر شاید اللہ تعالیٰ کو کچھ اور ہی منظور تھا۔

انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون

وقار اسلم نہایت نفیس، محبت کرنے والا ہمارا مخلص اور جیدار کورس میٹ اور دوست تھا۔ 

اللہ تعالیٰ ملک وقار اسلم کی مغفرت فرمائے، اور جنت الفردوس میں اعلیٰ مقام عطا کرے، تمام اہل خانہ کو صبر جمیل عطا فرمائے اور ہر قدم پر آسانیاں پیدا کرے۔ آمین۔

میجر ریٹائرڈ جمیل 

May Allah bless Malik Waqar Aslam and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in peace up in the heavens. Ameen. 

Please refer to our Reference Page to read about all those of us who have left us midway for their Heavenly abode.

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Farewell Muhammad Tariq Pervez Satti

(1 November 1954 - 8 December 2024)

The traditional coldness and sadness of December struck us once again as one of our dearests and ever-smiling brother, Muhammad Tariq Pervez Satti, breathed his last on 8th December and departed to meet his Creator up in the Heavens. 

Pre-PMA photos

Tariq hailed from Murree but was settled in Rawalpindi. After the passing out from PMA, he joined ASC and had been a promising officer. He mostly preferred to be a family man and was not much spotted in course gatherings. Lately, he had been active on Facebook, mostly sharing photos of his family and very selected poetry.

Cadet Muhammad Tariq Pervez Satti

Ex Yarmuk (Kot Najib Ullah RS) - the Day-1 pitching tent for the night (From left to right: Saleem Somro (late), Tariq Satti (late), Salim Nawaz and Sahu

After pitching the tent, a much needed refreshing mug of tea in the PMA mug brings smiles

This photo seems to be taken on our first Eid in PMA at the Officers' Mess Eid Milan party

Tariq as a dashing captain 

Hard work with honesty always pays - Tariq being decorated with Tamgha e Imtiaz

Tariq loved sharing photos with his family on Facebook much too often. Seen with his sons and grandchildren.

I did not have much interaction with Tariq except leaving remarks on his photos shared by him on his Facebook profile. However, when I requested many of our course mates to join my Facebook Group: Islam - the Ultimate Truth, Tariq wa the first one to respond as can be seen a screen shot from his Messenger when he willingly responded: Why not Jalal, I am joining. And he did instantly and would often leave his remarks on my posts.

He expressed himself very candidly on Facebook and whatever he wrote about himself, was indeed true in total honesty and general perception of course mates of him.

Tariq has been keeping himself fit by regularly visiting gym and kept his body in good shape. He has also been looking after the gym of his son and engaging in activities related to fitness competitions as can be seen in following photos:

His recent photos: On 1 November 2024, he posted his photo (extreme right) happily announcing his turning 70 years - not knowing he had only a month more left of his life.

And then the fateful day came so soon. His son is describes his death: Tariq slept last night alright as told by his son Mohsin. Since they both used to go to the gym in Sunday as well, when Mohsin went to his room he had died long ago. May be died as soon as he went to sleep. 

On 9th December, amid saddened faces of his brothers and course mates, Tariq was laid to rest. Ikram Kiyani laid a floral wreath on behalf of the course.

Remembering Tariq, some of our course mates penned down their sentiments as under:

Farooq Pervez: It is sad sad news  .my heart is lamenting for my  class fellow and Pl mate. What a wonderful person he was. Simply straight forward, honest, human kind hearted, committed to duty  ,wouldn't interfere  in others affairs. A real great person, a hidden jewel. May Allah bless his soul - what a loss.

Nadeem Qadri: Extremely shocking news of demise of Tariq. He was my platoon mate. A very gentle fellow. Friendly,  calm and quiet. He once stated that he hardly has been to CMH after retirement. Spent most of his time in his native town Murry, loved to live close to nature. Never mentioned of any health issue. His demise is a great loss for his family and friends. Inna lillahe wa inna elaehe rajeoon. Almighty Allah may rest his soul in eternal peace, grant him the highest place in Jannat ul Firdous and give strength strength to his family to bear this irreparable loss with patience and fortitude. Aameen sum aameen. 

F S Tony: Saddened to know about the demise of Tariq Pervaiz Satti. I used to be in communication with him, and he never complained about his health problem and was very regular in his Exercise, as he was looking after the Jim, constructed for his son. May Allah SWT Keep his soul in eternal peace and Grant him the best place in Jannat ul Firdous and patience to the family to bear this irreparable and irrecoverable Big loss. Amen ya Rabul Aallameen 🙏🏼 

May Allah bless Muhammad Tariq Pervez Satti and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in peace up in the heavens. Ameen. 

Please refer to our Reference Page to read about all those of us who have left us midway for their Heavenly abode.

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Farewell Sheikh Khalid Masood: Today the world is one less of smiling faces

(3 July 1955 - 1 November 2024)

Today was yet another sad day for us, the 55th PMA Long Course veterans, specially the comrades of Khalid-4/Tariq-1 platoons of PMA's first and final term when we lose yet another brother of ours, Sheikh Khalid Masood. It came rather as a surprise as he nurtured no wounds nor ever hurt anyone. He was all smiles always whether during the rigours of PMA days or the life thereafter both within and without the uniform. Always cheering others, extending a helping hand and bringing smiles on others' faces, today he robs us of the smiles and leaves us for his heavenly abode. His death came just after our dear Iqbal aka Bala breathed his last recently after prolonged illness on 12 October 2024.

Year 2024 has been the deadliest of all previous years as during this year, five brothers bade goodbye to us and their families to take their heavenly flights. Masood was the last of the five.

Khalid was one of the most friendly and loving platoon mates of ours in Khalid 4 and later in Tariq 1. His smile was a morale booster for all of as even during rigours of PMA training and  to keep his memories alive:. Despite his rather bulky stature, he was physically and mentally too robust who ran like a wild horse on the one mile track during PT periods and other physical events like the assault course and 9 mile run.

I share herein under some of the photographs of PMA and the life thereafter to keep memories of Khalid Masood alive:

The first ever group photo of K-4 (Khalid Masood sits fourth from the left) - the phot also includes Safdar Jahanzab (standing extreme left), ex GC Zafar (standing 6th from the left) Iqbal (siting on ground third from the left) shoulder ex GC Dr Amir Mansoor who have also taken their heavenly flights earlier.

Almost  the entire platoon photographed at Kot Najib Ullah RS during the first time exercise Yarmuk with our platoon commander Captain (later Brigadier) Ghulam Nabi. Khalid Masood stands extreme left.

First snowfall in early second term brought us out to the delight of Nawab Sahib. Khalid Masood stands second from the left. Others include Janjua, Naveed, Jalal and Naveed Akbar.

The battered faces after the second term boxing. K-4 posing with platoon commander Captain Ghulam Nabi. Khalid Masood sits third from the left. Good old Bala, now no more, stands extreme left.

An Engineered  Photo’

This photograph of some of us was being taken in the First Pakistan Battalion Mess as normal front facing  shot – but I suggested to make it ‘informal’ looking photo as we were in a conversation. So we all turned right and left gesturing our hands (you can feel the artificiality of gestures of out hands) while we were ‘shot’ – it turned out to be good photo. Khalid Masood stand next to me, besides Jamshed, Razaq and Naveed Minhas.

Mujib and Masood posing with the new army outfit of camouflage jackets

Final Term Snowfall : Masood – Shahid – Arshad – Tassawar – Mujeeb – Nauman. We lost Abdul Qadir Khan Shahid too during these years

Ex Qiyadat: Shahid, Masood, Mujeeb, Younis and Jalal in our 9-feet trench

Punjab Regimental Center, Mardan

Standing: Murad, Razaq, Noor, Jalal, Arshad, Shahid, Tassawar, Maj Umer, Masood, GM, Naveed, Samad, Mujeeb, Nauman

Sitting: Qadri, Rashid, Kiyani, Younis, Shams

The Final Term Tariq Seniors-1 - Masood stands second from the right. The photo also includes Shams (sitting extreme right) and Abdul Qadir Shahid (standing 5th from right) whom Masood has gone to join in their heavenly abode.

After our passing out inn April 1977, Khalid Masood joined the regiment of Artillery but was always in touch with most of us despite the poor almost non existent means of communication., which still hangs in some corner of his house. I attended his marriage in Lahore and presented him with a hand drawn calligraphy on goat skin which still hangs in some corner of his house. The last I met was in DHA Head Office Lahore where he was employed after retirement and we had a hearty chat on a hot cup of tea.

Perhaps the first ever get together of Lahore Chapter in Zahir Khan's office on 4 February 2008: It was a ‘well attended’ get together at Zahir Khan’s office, on my visit to Lahore and Zahir got together many course mates including visiting Canadians Naveed Akbar and Jamil Bravo (Tahir had not yet gone to Canada). From this day onward, Zahir’s office was the venue of many such occasions for as long as he remained at Lahore.

Standing (left to right): DIG Abid Qadri – Tassawar – Athar – Alizai – Abbas – Naveed Akbar – Sultan – Jamil – Javed Iqbal

Sitting (left to right):      Tahir – Zahir – Jalal – Masood – Khalid Javed - Rauf

And thus a journey of comradeship spanned over a period of 49 years that commenced in May 1975 with Sheikh Khalid Masood finally ended on 1 November 2024. Masood suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to CMH where he breathed his last at about 1400 hours. The news of his demise spread instantly on all forums. I being away to Munich Germany received a call from Mujib, who too is away in England, and came to know the tragic news. 

Masood was finally buried at about 2200 hours, leaving the world one less of ever smiling faces. A large number of course mates from Lahore attended the funeral and the burial. Some of the photos of his burial are as under. It was nice of all platoon mates of Khalid-4 / Tariq 1 to lay a wreath on behalf of all the platoon mates. 

The overwhelming sentiments of the course mates are pouring in all course forums which speak of love our late brother Masood enjoyed in the fraternity. I am sharing a few comments to pay homage to our dearest Sheikh Khalid Masood:

Message by Baqar:

ابھی اپنے ایک پرانے CO کرنل اعجاز رفیع (  کورس میٹ سر وحید ٹونی، ٹیپو کمپنی) کے بڑے بھائی کی نماز جنازہ پڑھکر آیا ہوں اور آتے ہی برادر عزیز شیخ خالد مسعود کے اچانک وصال کی خبر نےدل مزید دکھی کر دیا۔ موت ایک حقیقت ھے اور ہر ذی روح کو آنی ھے پھر بھی بعض لوگوں  کی جدائی ایسی ہوتی ھے کہ دل ماننے کو تیار نہیں ہوتا۔ خالد مسعود ایک نیک دل، خوش مزاج، ھنس مکھ اور  دلچسپ شخصیت تھا جسکی کمی ہمیشہ محسوس کیجائیگی۔ اللہ پاک سے دعا ھے کہ شیخ خالد مسعود کے گناہ صغیرہ و کبیرہ معاف فرمائے، اسکی آنیوالی منازل آسان کرے اور اسے جنت الفردوس میں اپنے جوار رحمت میں اعلی' مقام عطا فرمائے۔ اللہ کریم سے مزید دعا ھے کہ پسماندگان خاص کر ہماری بہن اور بیٹیوں کو صبر دے اور  یہ عظیم صدمہ برداشت کرنے کی ہمت و حوصلہ دے۔ آمین یا رب العالمین

Message by Ikram Kiyani:

رات کے دس بج گے ہیں۔ہمارے ہردل عزیز شیخ خالد مسعود کے جسدِخاکی کو عزیزواقارب آخری ٹھکانے کی جانب لے جا .رہے ہونگے۔یہی زندگی کی سب سے بڑی حقیقت ہے

خالد4/ طارق۱والوں کی لئے ایک ماہ  کے اندر دوسرا وچھوڑا۔یار ابھی تو بالے کی قبر کی مٹی گیلی تھی کہ اس نے شیخو کوبھی بلا لیا۔شاید دنیا کی طرح ادھر بھی سنگی ڈھونڈتے ہیں

بزمِ جہاں میں جن سے اجالا تھا اے اجل

تونے کہاں وہ چاند کے ٹکڑے چھپا دیئے

Message from Asghar Javed Shirazi:

After retirement his life took on a new sense of purpose; he found solace in prayer and walks and was always engaged in good deeds. Every encounter, whether going to or from the Mosque, left me with a sense of peace, as he would share words of wisdom and comfort.

The 55 PMA Long Course has lost a true comrade, and I have lost a dear friend. May Allah bless his soul forever. Rest in peace, Khalid Masood. Your legacy of kindness, compassion, and service to the nation will live on in our hearts.

Nauman Siddiqui (Final Term roommate of Khalid Masood):

Khalid Masood has departed, leaving all of us saddened. Khalid would always be found smiling, even amidst the darkest hours. For quite some years now, his routine centered around the mosque and his house. For seven months he would be in Murree , where he also followed the same routine. In fact, he had just returned from Murree, by road, before his flight to heaven was called.

Message by Sir Ateeq:

 'O Allah, forgive Shaikh Khalid Masood and raise him in status among those who are guided, and take care of his family who are left behind. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Worlds, make his grave spacious for him, and illuminate it for him.'"

(Words of dua (Except the name) are the words of the Holy Prophet (S) - Sahih Muslim, Chapter#12 Hadith#5.)

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May Allah bless Sheikh Khalid Masood and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in peace up in the heavens. Ameen. 

Please refer to our Reference Page to read about all those of us who have left us midway for their Heavenly abode.

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Farewell Iqbal - our dear Bala

(27 November 1953 -12 October 2024)

It is a sad day today, the 12th October 2024 when our dearest Iqbal "Bala" finally  takes his leave from our world to present himself to his Creator. 

‎إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

He has been battling with a very rare disease for many years and we all prayed him to recover. But  Allah has His own plans for everyone of us and Iqbal after playing his part in the Allah's plan has finally been called back. 

I met Iqbal on 12th May 1975 when our first ever military fall-in was called for Khalid 4 platoon in front of hutted barracks. He hailed from Jhang and this became a bane for him as seniors, inters and up, would ask him that from where he belonged and Iqbal in his typical Jhangi Punjabi tone would shout: Jhang, sir. from hereon, a long association of friendship rolled on with him by all our platoon mates till his very end.

The first ever group photo of K-4 (Iqbal sits on ground third from the left) - the phot also includes Safdar Jahanzab (standing extreme left), ex GC Zafar (standing 6th from the left) and Khalid Masood (siting fourth rom the left) who have also taken their heavenly flights earlier.

Almost  the entire platoon photographed at Kot Najib Ullah RS during the first time exercise Yarmuk with our platoon commander Captain (later Brigadier) Ghulam Nabi. Iqbal sits on ground second from the left, shouldering late Safdar Jahanzeb

The battered faces after boxing in the second term. Iqbal stands extreme left. Iqbal was declared the best loser in the boxing. It was from here that Iqbal parted ways from our platoon. However he remained part of us and would always join us whenever we got together.

Lahore - an evening with our final term platoon commander Lieutenant Colonel Talat Umer, SJ at Defence Club Lahore on 20 June 2013. Iqbal sits extreme left followed by Tassawar – Jalal – Lieutenant Colonel Talat Umer, SJ – Nauman – Khalid – Shirazi

Iqbal has always been active in joining all get togethers of the course. In above photo he is seen sitting third from right at office of Zahir Khan. It may be recalled that office of Zahir Khan as CC Arty was venue of many such gatherings for as long he was there.

Iqbal in jolly good mood, dancing at the tune of military band, during 2008 course get together at Abbottabad

A K4/T1 exclusive group at Mangla get together 2011 - Iqbal stands third from right

Iqbal was there in Mangla 2012 GTG standing second from left

Iqbal stands fourth from right - joining with K4 comrades at Abbottabad 2013 GTG

K-4/T1 at Gujranwala GTG - Iqbal standing right to host Salim Nawaz

These are some of the photos I have of memories with Iqbal. Thereafter we met a few times. My last meeting with him was at his residence two years before when Younis accompanied me to him. There he was lying on the bed due to his ailment. But he recognised me and gave a big laughter. I never knew I was seeing him for the last time.

May Allah bless Iqbal and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in peace up in the heavens. Ameen. 

Please refer to our Reference Page to read about all those of us who have left us midway for their Heavenly abode.

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