In Memory of Shams ul Haq

(9 May 1955 - 24 November 2013)

Shams ul Haq was perhaps one of the most misunderstood comrade of our course. There is a general perception that he was a rather reserved, quiet, introvert and a person who loved to lived an isolated life. When he joined our platoon Tariq-1 in the third term, I also had the same opinion about him initially.  But as days went by, I realized there that there resided in him a very sincere, lovable and helping soul. Soon he made his place in our platoon and this went on till the end.

Late Shams and Safdar Jahanzeb with Jamshed, Tariq, Noor and Arshad

Shams in Ex Pani Pat (Above) and Ex Qiyadat (below) with late Samad, Arshad and Tassawar

ASC School: Abid, Shams, Shahid, Mujeeb, Nauman, Jalal, Razzaq, Noor and Khalid Masood 

Punjab Regimental Center Mardan: Tariq 1 with platoon commander Major Talat Umer, SJ (Shams kneels extreme right)

Final Term Tariq 1: Shams sits extreme right

After our commissioning into army, I lost contact with him and it was in the later years when I resided in the same colony after retirement that I came across him occasionally and was present to bid him farewell upon his burial on 24 November 2013.

The proud degree holders at MCE: Islam, Shams, Javed, Hayee, Fazal (Shared by Islam ul Haq)

To fill in the void of the lost years, I requested my good Sapper friend Baqar to write something about him. Remember, Baqar had already helped me in writing a post about late Saleem Soomro. Baqar instantly replied and remembered Shams:

Shams and myself served in 101 Engr Bn (The Khunjerabees) during 1993-94. He was performing as 2IC when I joined in March 93 after completing my MSc Engineering. Unit was part of FWO and was working Barian-Nathia Gali-Abbottabad Riad commonly called BNA Project. 

Before joining the unit, myself and my wife visited Abbottabad to hire a house. Unfortunately the one that was arranged, the owner backed when we arrived. Maj Shams and his family welcomed with open arms and open heart and we stayed with them for over a month before we could arrange our accommodation. This was the state of his kindness and love for fellow officer.

The project had just started and Shams, now a company commander, was working on upper reaches of the road near Doonga Gali. We often visited him on week ends and had a good time with and his family.

We both were in promotion zone. Unfortunately, Shams could not make it and I was promoted and posted to Gilgit. Shams, being senior most, again took over as 2IC.

A very loving and diehard friend who was again very kind to me by looking after my family when it stayed back in Abbottabad for completion of academic session of my daughter.

Shams and Khokhar during 2008 GTG at Abbottabad

Shams and late Shafiq Anwar pose with their others

Shams stands almost in the middle of the last row in 2009 GTG at Abbottabad

Furrukh Hayee, another Sapper remembers Shams: A trusted friend , honest , humble, hardworking, disciplined sober and gem of 55 was he. Being sapper officer he was very close , one of his bro was my colleague in HQ FWO and one of his son use to provide IT support to HQ FWO. One of his brother was from 57 PMA and use to visit us regularly. All these things increased our bondage. I recall in 1980 during our Survey camp (OD-course) one day he , Rao, Bajwa ,and myself were making fun  in river Swat . Though he was good swimmer but fast run of river started taking him along. Then some one else saved him from taking away with flow. May Allah keep him at highest place in Jamnah (Ameen)🤲

Aslam Javed shares his post retirement employment and recalls: Shams had very good time after retirement. He joined UBL as CE north. I visited his office it was in UBL building Islamabad. He enjoying good reputation. After leaving UBL he joined Tameer Associate as Engr. Malik Bashir one day told that shams is in AFIC in critical condition. May ALLAH bless his soul rest in peace AAMEEN

His son Major Nauman is serving as GSO-2 in an Engr HQ. We wish him to rise high and make his father proud of him, resting in Jannah, In Sha Allah.

Time is passing by and soon we all will be leaving this world one by one. We have already lost twenty four precious lives and did not have time even to say a last good goodbye. Time is now to keep talking to each other, forgiving and forgetting any hard feelings we may have with anyone. For when one is no more, only regret remains for not having said a sorry and embraced each other.

May Allah bless Shams ul Haq and all our course mates who have left us earlier than us and rest their souls in eternal 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.