(1 January 1957 - 7 July 1977)
7th July 1977 takes us back to the remembrance of Arshad Aziz and Iftikhar Hussain who were aboard the ill fated bus carrying cadets of final term of 56 Long Course to Nathia Gali on excursion. The bus fell into a ravine near Donga Gali and many cadets ex 56 Long Course, which also included Arshad Aziz and Iftikhar Hussain from our course perished forever.
I have already written a detailed post on the accident and about Arshad Aziz, the 7th July today pushes me to say a few words about Iftikhar Hussain.
Although, there are a lot of photos of us, specially of the first term, it is a shame that we do not have any photo of Iftikhar Hussain, nor any memories of him, except for a little anecdote by Nauman when in Khalid 1 with Iftikhar and Tariq Khan:
Iftikhar was nicknamed Froggy: During Yarmuk, we spotted a big puddle of water, as we lay on the ground to sip water, we spotted a tadpole, Tariq Khan shooed the tadpole away with the remark: “Iftikhar, go away !!”
Poor Iftikhar did go away when he was later relegated to 56 PMA Long Course, and perished forever along with Arshad Aziz in the bus accident near Donga Gali. May his soul be blessed. Aameen
Imran Khawaja remembers Iftikhar in these very words:
GC Iftikhar hailed from Sargodha area and was from agriculture family. One day while he was not in his room GC Akbar Ali and myself broke the lock of his box and ate Panjiri made in desi ghee and oranges. He found out the culprits and threatened to report to Platoon Commander. We literally begged him and he excused us. He was only concerned with breaking of lock. He was kind hearted. His upper body portion was bigger than lower. On weak physical condition he was relegated. May Allah bless his soul.
PS: I request his friends and close associates to share his memories so that he does not fade away unsung and unremembered.
Related Posts: | 7th July 1977 - The day we lost two of our comrades | Remembering Arshad Aziz |
6 comments:
May his soul rest in peace for ever.
The biggest tragic incident of PMA history. May their soul rest in eternal peace.
It seems that 'panjeeri' has been trademark of the cadets hailing from rural Sargodha, Mianwali etc. Some very interesting stories are linked to Malik Ghulam Abbas too. Me and Farrakh Hayee had been main beneficiaries of the protien rich delicacy with the connivance of Abbas' roommate (the story shall be shared latter).
May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace, Aameen
Unfortunately I don't remember him, probably because he was from another company and platoon. But any course mate is also a soul mate. His early death is indeed a reminder that Life is unpredictable. Rest in peace my soul mate. May you enjoy the luxuries of Jannah. Aameen.
کیوں مروانا جے یار ۔۔ مجے یاد ہے اپ دونوں(فرخ حیئ اور طاہر خان) کا مجھے وزٹ کرنا اور سونف اور سبز الائچی کی خوشبو سونگھ کر مجھے پوچھنا کہ یار جمیل کیا چھپا رکھا ہے ۔ جب عباس کے بستر کے نیچے بکس دیکھا تو خوشبو قریب سے محسوس کرنے کے بعد ہم تینون نہ رہ سکے اور پنجیری کے ڈبے پر،اپنے ھاتھ صاف کیئے بہت مزا،آیا۔عباس کے لئے دل سے دعا کی اور بھول گئے۔
مگر عباس جب واپس کمرے میں پہنچا تو بہت سٹپٹایا مگر ۔۔تھوڑی نوک جھونک کے بعد خاموش ہو گیا۔ مگر شکوہ کرتا رہا کہ ۔کون لوگ تھے کتنے لوگ تھے۔۔اور پھر پاسنگ آوٹ ۔۔😍
اللہ تعالٰی افتخار مرحوم کو جنت الفردوس میں اعلی مقام عطا فرمائے آمین
Post a Comment