Remembering Javed Sultan

On 6 February 2008, I was visiting Lahore and sitting in a friend's house in his TV lounge. It was late in the evening and the TV was on - suddenly the flashing headlines caught my attention and the news really came as a shock wave - the news about a helicopter crash and death of a general: none other than our dearest Javed Sultan. Since i maintain the course website, usually course mates ring me up for any news or clarification. And that day too, my cell phone started buzzing and everyone asking if the news was true. Sometimes breaking news of the death of someone close is difficult - but that day the bad news were true. We had lost one of the finest officers of Pakistan Army and of course.

Right from PMA, Javed Sultan was something different and he made his mark in every field - finally rising to be the CSUO of Khalid Company in the final term. 

Being a thorough professional, intelligent and dedicated to the corer, Javed had seen the very higher hierarchy of the Pakistan Army right from his earlier days. His appointments speak of his professionalism and intellect. Commanding his unit in the 111 Infantry Brigade at Rawalpindi, as AP(S) with the COAS, DMI and his last appointment as DA in India for almost three years were the best acclaimed. Putting on the rank of Major General almost a year later than the other 12 course mates, he had his sights fixed very high - had his life allowed him to carry on.

Brigadier Javed Sultan, shaking hands as Pakistan’s Defence Attaché’ to India with the Indian President at the Presidential Palace

 

Iqbal Badar, Asif and Munir were his closest friends as can be seen in the following photos, shared to me by Iqbal Badar:

 

On 6 February, he along with two brigadiers and a number of other officers and men embraced shahadat when his helicopter crashed minutes after take off from Kohat. This was not only an irreparable loss to Pakistan Army but for all of us since in his departure we lost a exceptionally brilliant comrade.

President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Muhammad Mian Soomro offered Nimaz-e-Jinaza of eight personnel killed in a helicopter crash at PAF Base Chaklala on Friday 8 February. The funeral prayer was also attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, services chiefs and a large number of retired and serving officers. Later the bodies were flown/taken to ancestral grave yards of respective shaheeds. As for Major General Javed Sultan Khan, he was buried in the Army Graveyard, Race Course ground, Rawalpindi.

The Army Graveyard at Rawalpindi must have gone through many emotional moments in its history, but the last rituals of a course mate witnessed altogether a different sentimental send off. Other than huge number of friends, relatives, general admirers and colleagues, the place was full of course mates who had turned in from all over the country. These fellows had flown from Karachi and driven from Bahawalpur, Lahore, Gujranwala, Murree and Peshawar to pay their last respect to their long time associate. Asif just managed to reach from abroad where he had gone for an official trip. There were some touchy scenes as most of us could not control the emotions while few tried in vain to console each other. 

We do not know the why of such tragedies and mournful partings, but we can only take satisfaction from the fact that having played their part in the Allah Almighty's overall plan for them, all of them are finally with their Creator. And we are certain sure that Allah Almighty will be happy with all of these fine officers who have left behind their good deeds and memories. May Allah bless their departed souls and rest them in peace. Ameen.

He left behind a family to mourn beside some very good and close friends in the Army and of course in 55th PMA Long Course. Some of those who were near and dear to him included Iqbal badar Khan, Munir and Zaheer. And it was Iqbal Badar Khan who on Javed's chehlum promised to send me some of his rare photos in smiles when he was among his friends. Based on these memories, this special section is being created to pay homage to Javed Sultan.