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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In memory of Naveed Muhammad Butt

(24 May 1955 - 23 August 2024)

28th August 2024 was yet another day  of mourning for all of us for on this day we lost yet another brother, comrade and course Naveed Muhammad Butt. 

‎إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

I never had a direct interaction with Naveed except once. While doing JOL at SI&T, Quetta, he was my buddy in the night map reading exercises. Like all duos, we too walked in the wilderness around Quetta from bound to bound. Naveed had a stick with him and he poked it in every hole that came our way to find a snake. Fortunately he found none.

Naveed as a dashing captain

Naveed sitting close to camera in a get together in Islamabad

In his last days, Naveed has started tweeting that somehow expressed extreme sadness and perhaps giving a indication that he knew of his end time. Just read the tweets - it says all:

May Allah bless Naveed 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 Imran Nadeem

(1955-23 May 2024)

We lose yet another brother, comrade and course Imran Nadeem this day 23rd May 2024. 

‎إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

He has been suffering from cancer for sometime but always appeared in high spirits never hinting the severity of his ailment - a true characteristic of a SSG commando.

A commandos' GTG. Imran stands third from the right. Mirza Saleem and Khalid Javed are also seen the photograph standing extreme left.

Karachi 6 February 2010: Imran Nadeem, Wasif and Zahid come to condole me at the death of my elder brother Gul Hameed Bhatti. This being my last interaction with him, for after the death of my brother, I never visited Karachi.

20th July 2011: Dinner at Creek Club Karachi by Wasif for visiting Asif Ilyas. Imran sits on the left

He was man of style and never hesitated to show it, though there were many hidden qualities of Imran, but he seldom aired them as he was quite reserved. He loved his family much and once when I told him that I was compiling data to record history of the course, he simple shrugged the idea and said it was the age to turn pages of family albums and reminisce the happy days, for they are our best treasure.

May Allah bless Imran 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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Farwell Muhammad Fida Hussain

 

(3 September 1952 - 5 February 2024)

There always some people around you who lie low always in their complete humbleness, yet sincerity and love for others. Our comrade Muhammad Fid Hussain was one such brother who was not seen much, but was always in our hearts for his complete selfless life, both within the army and in the period of retirement.  And for this reason, the delayed news his demise came as a surprise to most us. He left for his heavenly abode on 5th February 2024 in CMH Multan due to cardiac arrest during dialysis.

انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون 

Fida was already a graduate (B Sc) when he joined the Pakistan Military Academy. He was originally from Khalid 3 platoon but passed from Ghaznavi Company in 1977. I do not have many photos of our late comrade. But found a few from my PMA collection:

Fida sitting extreme left during the famous Introduction Night in B Mess

Group Photo Final Term Ghaznavi Seniors 1 - Fida standing extreme right in first row

As mentioned by his son, Fida was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) around 2 years back and has since been on medication. But gradually the disease worsened over time and eventually he had to undergo the Dialysis treatment in CMH Multan. His dialysis treatment continued for approximately 1 month. Although he walked without assistance but his overall health has significantly declined as per medical reports. On 5th February 2024 he suffered from cardiac arrest during dialysis around 3 pm in CMH Multan and succumbed to it. 

He was buried in his native city Layyah on 6th February 2024, buried next to his parents. He is survived by Bhabi sahiba, a daughter and four sons.

Recalling Fida, this is what his platoon mates and others said:

Jamil recalls Fida Hussain (Sufi) as a very kind and humble person, who would usually like to stay quite. He adds:  As I was trying to find and add every course mate of ours from around the world in "Brothers55" WhatsApp group but few were difficult to find and Fida Hussain was one of them. But Alhamdulillah after 5+ years of efforts I finally found him and added to the group but he liked to stay quite, though he would occasionally say hello to me. It was a shock for me to know about his demise as I sent a message on his cellphone to know about his welfare in routine but his replied from Fida's phone that his beloved Dad is no more. May Almighty Allah bless him with the best place of Jannah tul Firdous and grant family Sabr e Jameel Aameen!

Aslam Javed says that he called one of his school fellows in Multan where Fida was residing in Al Quraish colony. He told him that Fida was active member of society and regular member of mosque committee.

Alamgir said Fida was our platoon mate, a simple and  thorough gentle soul with no kinks and inhibitions, village back ground like me, a very humble person. May Allah swt bless his soul and peace in eternity. 

May Allah grant Muhammad Fida Hussain a place in Jannat ul firdous and grant sabr to his family in this difficult time. Ameen. May Allah bless 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 Shahid Maqbool

(11 June 1955 - 2 June 2023)

The pre-dawn prayer on 2nd of June 2023 began another peaceful day. As usual I shared a supplication on my select WhatsApp group and it was instantly responded to by Shahid Maqbool by an in boxed message - something he always did since I started sharing the supplications before or after the Fajr prayer. The sun started rolling and life seemed normal. Around elevenish, Ashraf Tabbasum rang him up and both had a hearty chat for good about one hour. But things started to change when Shahid was getting ready for the Jumu'ah prayers. As informed by Muhammad Asif, Shahid was at home, getting ready for Jumma Prayers. He took shower and got himself shalwar qameez from wardrobe. Not feeling well, he called Bhabi Sahiba and complained of his unrest. Bhabi Sahiba checked BP and pulse which were normal. He again complained and Bhabi Sahiba got worried and sent their servant for doctor who is living close by but he had already left for Prayers. Servant went to mosque and brought Dr with him. The doctor tried his best but Shahid had expired. His neighbors Gen Waheed Akhtar and Brig Sami evacuated him to AFIC, where he was pronounced brought dead.

Thus, by early afternoon, the day that had dawned with Shahid responding to all his friends on WhatsApp, ended in an utter tragedy. When the news spread, everyone was taken aback and shocked to listen to the tragic news. As Tassawar puts it, "Very few of us have been blessed with a constant and everlasting smile on their faces. Now we would miss our beautiful friend/colleague with the beautiful smile and with a beautiful soul."

Herein under is collection of photos of Shahid Maqbool from PMA days till date:

Shahid Maqbool shared this first term photo with me - reminding us of the night gowns

Second Term group photo after the Boxing event (Shahid Maqbool stands fourth from left)

Nawab Sahib somehow knew Shahid was to join Signals and snapped him with his wireless set

Qasim Company final term group photo: Shahid Maqbool stand in the middle of first row

The journey into army began as a dashing and aspiring young officer

 

Javed Baloch, Abdul Qadir Khan Shahid and Shahid Maqbool (NDC visit to Bangladesh 1999)

A heart wrenching photo - By the will of Allah, all three of them are living in their heavenly abode

Officer of 55th PMA attending War Course 1999 - Shahid Maqbool stands third from left

Three aspiring colonels shaking hands with the boss: Jamal Zia, Iqbal Badar Khan and Shahid Maqbool

Shahid Maqbool on a visit to earthquake hit areas in area of responsibility of Ashraf Tabbasum 2005

Course get together 2008 Abbottabad (Shahid sits fourth from right)

A memorable visit by Shahid Maqbool to my residence in Mangla where I was posted as Station Commander. Major General Shahid Maqbool, then DG SCO had come to Mirpur to inaugurate a newly commissioned telephone exchange and I too was invited. The day was very hot and humid and standing out there in the open sun for almost two hours took a heavy toll on me, due to my recently developed high blood pressure, and I had to rush back home. To my utter surprise, Shahid, after the ceremony, specially came over to my house to inquire about my health – something that really moved me of his sincerity and concern for others and I thought I must mention the incident ‘for the info of all’.

Wherever there was Shahid Maqbool, everyone flocked to have him photographed with him

A get together at NDC hosted by Farooq - Shahid stands extreme right

Nathiagali get together 2015 - Shahid stands sixth from right flanked by Allah Dad and Javed Baloch

A few words about Shahid's DP that he used on his WhatsApp page. After retirement, I settled in DHA Islamabad and whenever I passed by the Signals College, I always wanted to visit Shahid who was then posted as the Commandant of the Signals College. But somehow, I was always in a hurry for some job and pended my plan of visiting Shahid for the next time. And the next time came one day and while just outside the Signals College, I called Shahid to call on him. Instead of inviting me in the college, he gave his usual laugh and said that he was at his residence in Chaklala for it was his first day after retirement, and called me over for a cup of tea at his residence. I went to Chaklala Cantonment where an MP escort was standby to take me to his residence. He welcomed me wearing his typical smile, clad in white shalwar kameez. Before I left, I requested him for a photo for it was his first day in civvies. And thus, the photo I took was so dear to Shahid, that he used it as his DP. 

His burial was delayed for two days as his children are presently out of the country. On Sunday 4, 2023 his burial took place at Sector G, DHA Phase 2, Islamabad graveyard. The burial was attended by perhaps one of the biggest funeral gatherings I have seen so far. Almost all local course mates were there. Asharaf Tabbasum, Zahir Khan, Farooq Iqbal, Rashid Javeed, Nauman, Khalid Javed, Mujeeb and Tassawar had specially come for Lahore to bid farewell to our dearest Shahid Maqbool. Zaheer ul Islam laid the floral wreath his grave on behalf of the course.

There is much more that can be written in memory of Shahid Maqbool for officers and gentlemen like him are seldom born. I shared the photos that I have. Friends may share his photos and his memories with me so as to make this post memorable.

May Allah bless him and all our brothers who have left for their heavenly abode before him. Ameen. May all those of us suffering from any ailment be blessed with shifa e kamla and long healthy lives. 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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