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.