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.