Showing posts with label Obituary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obituary. Show all posts

Thursday, January 30, 2025

In memory of Maqsood Ahmed

(23 March 1958 - 15 January 2025)
It was hardly ten days before that Malik Waqar Aslam took his heavenly flight that our dear Maqsood too followed the suit and left us mourning on 25th January 2025.

Going by his age, perhaps he was the youngest of us all since most of us were born in years 1953-57 bracket. But perhaps his Divine plan had been fulfilled much earlier and was taken back to the heavens.
Final Term group photo of Ghaznavi Seniors 2. Maqsood stands extreme right

I do not have many photos of his, specially days of PMA or in uniform later. Perhaps he was camera shy and remained unspotted even by Nawab Sahib in PMA. 
Maqsood during 2011-2012 GTGs
A typical Maqsood laughter at Mangla 2011
Maqsood was very soft spoke and cheerful most of the times. I didn't have much interaction with him yet last year I unexpectedly got a call from him as he just wanted to be in contact. We spoke thereafter once or twice but being away from Lahore, did not have the chance to meet him. He was active member of activities of Lahore Chapter and was often spotted on such gatherings.
Get together on 3 Mar 08 in Zahir Khan’s office attended Iqbal, Tariq Sher, Akram, 
Hafiz Shafiq, Azhar, Tariq, Rauf, Zahir, Masood, Maan, Maqsood and Tariq Ch.
Lahore 15 January 2025 - The last glimpse before being obscured forever
Attendees of Maqsood's funeral at Lahore
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May Allah bless Maqsood 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.

Saturday, January 18, 2025

In memory of Malik Waqar Aslam

(1 October 1957 - 14 January 2025)
I knew Waqar Aslam right from first day when we landed in PMA on 12th May 1975 and more so because we were assigned the same platoon: Khalid-4. But before anyone in the platoon started to know him or for that matter each other, Waqar was boarded out on medical grounds. And that was the day I saw him last for he vanished and got lost in the vast sea of people outside the PMA.

Generally no one remembers those who leave right in the first term of PMA for affiliations take time to get established. Although I heard later in the service that he has become superintendent of police, yet due to very coarse means of communication, no contact with him could establish. In the meantime while we continued with our career in the army, Waqar joined the police department after joining the Commoners 10 group. And later retired as DIG as a PSP officer. Thereafter, he chose to be an advocate and rose to be a advocate of the Supreme Court.
It was just about a couple of years before that Jamil somehow got in contact with him and was immediately taken on board by the Lahore Chapter. And from then on I established telephonic communication and talked a number of times. Much that I wanted to meet him and reminisce memories of the old day. I wish I was here in Pakistan to have visited him in the hospital. And by the will of Allah, our meeting was not to take place as after a brief admittance in Shifa Hospital he boarded his heavenly flight on 14th January 2025. 
Last photo of Waqar with his son in law while admitted in Shifa Hospital. 

Remembering Waqar Aslam, Jamil writes:.
وقار اسلم کی اچانک وفات کی خبر سنکر دلی صدمہ ہوا۔ چند دن پہلے ہی میری شفا ھسپتال میں ملک وقار اسلم سے فون پر بات ہوئی تھی، اور یہ جان کر اطمینان ہوا تھا کہ وہ شدید بیماری کے باوجود بلند حوصلے سے اس بیماری کا مقابلہ کر رہا تھا اور بہادری سے اپنی صحتیابی کی جانب گامزن تھا۔اور ہماری طرح وقار بھی پُرامید تھا کہ وہ جلد مکمل صحت یاب ہو کر انشاءاللہ  گھر واپس لوٹےگا، مگر شاید اللہ تعالیٰ کو کچھ اور ہی منظور تھا۔

انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون

وقار اسلم نہایت نفیس، محبت کرنے والا ہمارا مخلص اور جیدار کورس میٹ اور دوست تھا۔ 
اللہ تعالیٰ ملک وقار اسلم کی مغفرت فرمائے، اور جنت الفردوس میں اعلیٰ مقام عطا کرے، تمام اہل خانہ کو صبر جمیل عطا فرمائے اور ہر قدم پر آسانیاں پیدا کرے۔ آمین۔

میجر ریٹائرڈ جمیل 

May Allah bless Malik Waqar Aslam 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.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Farewell Muhammad Fida Hussain

 
(3 September 1952 - 5 February 2024)
There always some people around you who lie low always in their complete humbleness, yet sincerity and love for others. Our comrade Muhammad Fid Hussain was one such brother who was not seen much, but was always in our hearts for his complete selfless life, both within the army and in the period of retirement.  And for this reason, the delayed news his demise came as a surprise to most us. He left for his heavenly abode on 5th February 2024 in CMH Multan due to cardiac arrest during dialysis.
انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون 
Fida was already a graduate (B Sc) when he joined the Pakistan Military Academy. He was originally from Khalid 3 platoon but passed from Ghaznavi Company in 1977. I do not have many photos of our late comrade. But found a few from my PMA collection:
Fida sitting extreme left during the famous Introduction Night in B Mess
Group Photo Final Term Ghaznavi Seniors 1 - Fida standing extreme right in first row
As mentioned by his son, Fida was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) around 2 years back and has since been on medication. But gradually the disease worsened over time and eventually he had to undergo the Dialysis treatment in CMH Multan. His dialysis treatment continued for approximately 1 month. Although he walked without assistance but his overall health has significantly declined as per medical reports. On 5th February 2024 he suffered from cardiac arrest during dialysis around 3 pm in CMH Multan and succumbed to it. 

He was buried in his native city Layyah on 6th February 2024, buried next to his parents. He is survived by Bhabi sahiba, a daughter and four sons.

Recalling Fida, this is what his platoon mates and others said:

Jamil recalls Fida Hussain (Sufi) as a very kind and humble person, who would usually like to stay quite. He adds:  As I was trying to find and add every course mate of ours from around the world in "Brothers55" WhatsApp group but few were difficult to find and Fida Hussain was one of them. But Alhamdulillah after 5+ years of efforts I finally found him and added to the group but he liked to stay quite, though he would occasionally say hello to me. It was a shock for me to know about his demise as I sent a message on his cellphone to know about his welfare in routine but his replied from Fida's phone that his beloved Dad is no more. May Almighty Allah bless him with the best place of Jannah tul Firdous and grant family Sabr e Jameel Aameen!

Aslam Javed says that he called one of his school fellows in Multan where Fida was residing in Al Quraish colony. He told him that Fida was active member of society and regular member of mosque committee.

Alamgir said Fida was our platoon mate, a simple and  thorough gentle soul with no kinks and inhibitions, village back ground like me, a very humble person. May Allah swt bless his soul and peace in eternity. 

May Allah grant Muhammad Fida Hussain a place in Jannat ul firdous and grant sabr to his family in this difficult time. Ameen. May Allah bless 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.

Sunday, June 4, 2023

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.

Monday, August 15, 2022

Farewell Munir Ahmed Butt

 
(15 June 1953 - 12 August 2022)
The stop watch for everyone has been clicked on since our birth and it is made to stop when our time is up in the earthly world. That is the day when we are no more anymore for death is an irreversible cessation of our wordily life. Every man or living being has to face this one day when from a living being, we are enshrouded and deposited into our grave. This is the day we see our dear and near ones for the last time when the angel of death takes them away from us. Though it is the will of Allah to take us back when our time comes, yet the pain of missing those, now no more, cannot be expressed in words.

12 August 2022 has been one such day when another good man, brother and comrade of almost five decades breathed his last and bade us farewell forever.

Recalling memories of Munir Butt in PMA, there have been many group photos of Khallid Platoon No. 3 in which Munir figures out. The first photo herein under was taken on the sad departure of our very good brother Shaffi Luq Luq who unfortunately had to leave PMA in the first term:
Tariq Satti, Maten Shaffi Luq Luq, Jhahngir and Munir Butt
Munir stands extreme right on our first Eid at PMA. Others include (from left to right) Tahir Kahlon, Asim Jilani, Akhtar Abbas Janjua, and Alamgir
Munir stands fourth from left with BSM Masoom (late) during boxing days of Second Term

The above two group photos have been shared by Syed Mateen, while the following photos are shared by Jamal Zia of his platoon of Second Term in which Munir is also present:
Major (later Colonel) Shuja Ullah Khan Tarar recalls: Munir was my cadet in PMA. He later served with me in 19 Sind. A very fine officer. May Allah bless his soul. Ameen.
Munir was a strongly built muscular young man when he joined PMA. Tahir Kahloon tells us that he was a body builder before joining the academy. Thus, it shouldn't be a surprise that he excelled in PT and surpassed everyone when it came to physical fitness and endurance.
Munir receiving the PT Medal from Commandant PMA (1977)

Therefore, it was no surprise that he was awarded the PT Medal for his superb fitness and robustness. But time takes a heavy toll on us when we start to age and our parts slow down till, we cease to be. Munir had a hard time in his last days, suffering from dementia for long and then finally falling prey to Covid-19. 

The PMA Days - Final Term Aurangzeb Company 1977
Seated: CSM Salim, BQMS Saleem, SUO Khalid, Major S A Naqvi  (Platoon Commander, ASC), 
CJUO Fazal, BSM Farooq, CQMS Mohsin
Standing (first row): Sergeants Tariq, Rauf, Javed GC Jilani, Sergeant Azhar, GC Shaffi, Safdar, Khattak
Standing (Second Row): GC Munir, Shoaib, Sergeants Farooq, Altaf,  Ishraque  and Qadri
Thronging the field artillery gun during Field Firing, Munir is standing third from left
There aren't many photos of Munir in any get together with me. Even the 2008 get together at Abbottabad, though he attended but missed the group photo. However, I had collected thumb size photos in which Munir figures out from second last row extreme right. Hereinunder Munir is seen standing with FS Tony, Shahid Maqbool, Azhar Ali Shah and myself:
Munir was quiet, yet friendly and full of life. In his last years, he has been very conscious of his religious obligations and when I once met him for the last time, though many years ago, I found him different from others and we talked about religion. He showed his dismay on our merry making and lamented that we were steering off course from Sirat e Mustaqeem and that our actions did not correspond to the tenants of Islam. And that time, I was like the lot and perhaps did not get his message right. But his views left a deep imprint on me and recently I too started following the path he was walking on, I regretted not having listened to him then and thus wasting away so many years of life.
Remembering Munir, Syed Haider Raza Mehdi recalls: I knew him from my PMA days as I was their 3rd term Platoon Sergeant when they joined in the first term. A very gentle quiet soul.  He was an extremely good wrestler and kabbadi player, before he joined PMA.  Won many awards and medals. May Allah SWT Grant his dear departed Soul with Eternal peace and happiness in the Final Abode. Alhamdulillah. Ilahi Aameen
Recalling Munir one Shaukat Malik from the Veterans' forum on Face book recalls: A jolly upright and good human being. We served together in ISSB Kohat as GTOs and everyone enjoyed his company. May Allah bless him. Ameen
There has been a great pause since, for he was not visible in course functions. Lately his absence was noticed by Muhammad Jamil on course forum and the Muhammad Asif was the man who finally traced him out very recently. Shahid Noor and Ikram Kiyani visited him at his home in Bahria Town and was really sad to see the once master of the tracks lying helplessly on the bed, recognizing no one. While we had just taken a sigh of relief for him having been found out, he was admitted in hospital to spend his numbered days there till 12th Augst 2022. Had Jamil and Asif not tried to find him out, Muir may have gone away without anyone of us ever knowing.

His funeral was attended by almost 20 course mates. I wish I could have joined in saying farewell to our brother for I was just recovering from acute fever I was suffering from the last three days.

Note: Please forgive me for not finding any more photos of Munir in my photo reservoir. If his close associates/platoon mates have any photos or memories to share, please inbox me in my WhatsApp.

May Allah bless Munir Butt 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.