It will be a privilege to publish letters from readers about articles written
in previous issues or giving suggestions. No letter will be printed which
indulges in personalized attacks or is meaningless in the context of DJ
Brigadier Sadiqullah Khan (January 05, 1910-April 02, 2009)
I wrote a few words remembering the passing on of an old soldier, Brigadier Sadiqullah Khan that was published in Defence Journal of May 2009. Many have been kind enough to provide additional information. He joined Guides Infantry in 1932. He was in Y-cadet scheme and passed out from Indian Military Academy Dehra Dun in 1938. He was commissioned in 6/13 Frontier Force Rifles (Now One FF). He fought with his battalion in Second World War in the North African theatre. He was severely wounded in action and awarded Military Cross (MC). In 1947, he was attending staff college course in Quetta which was cut short due to the independence of India and Pakistan.
He was instrumental in the accession of Gwadar from Oman. In 1950s, he commanded 102nd Brigade in Dir and Gadoon Amazai operations. Later, he took over 116th Brigade in Bannu from Brigadier Sawal Khan for a brief period of time. In 1955, he was approved for promotion to Major General rank but due to internal intrigues never wore his rank. His son late Sadiq Akbar was commissioned in Guides Cavalry and retired as Brigadier. His son in law Brigadier Jawad Khan and grand- son served with the elite 8 FF.
I wish to thank everyone who provided additional information about a great soldier and a wonder- ful human being.
Regards
Hamid Hussain
Give the Devil his Due as well
One can understand Mian Sahib’s unrelenting persistence on Musharraf’s trial under Article-6 for violating the constitution but his outright condemning the latter for ruining Pakistan and Pakistan’s economy during his eight year rule is not justified. In one of his recent Press Conferences, Mian Sahib was repeatedly asking the press and the nation through them, “Iss dakoo nay qaum ko dia kia hay, swaye barbadi aur andheron ke?” (or words to that effect). Whether one likes it or not, the man did a lot of good too in almost all fields of nation building for Pakistan. Since the Mian Brothers (nay the Mian family with bag and baggage and cooks too) were out of the country, they may not be aware of his achievements. Also, as the family essentially hails from the business community, only the following economic gains which may be easily understood by them are reproduced for their consumption and information from a website http://presi- dentmusharraf.wordpress.com/about/ which has also links to the World Bank, the IMF, the ADB, etc to support the achievements.
QUOTE:
President Musharraf led a great team of economists and professionals with ex-PM Shaukat Aziz, to mark their achievements that caused Pakistan to emerge as a geo-strategic important country with a 100% better economy! In 2006, Pakistan was the 3rd fastest growing economy of the world and world’s preferred destination for Investment! President Musharraf’s era: In Pakistan’s economy grew by 100% – to become $ 160 billion Revenue grew by 100% – to become $ 11.4 billion Per Capita Income grew by 100% to become $925 Foreign Reserves grew by 500% – to become $17 billion Exports grew by 100% – to become $ 18.5 billion Textile exports grew by 100%- to become $ 11.2 billion Karachi Stock Exchange grew by 500% – to become $ 75 billion Foreign Direct Investment grew by 500% to become $ 8 billion Annual Debt servicing decreased by 35% – to become 26% Poverty decreased by 10% – to become 24% Public development Funds grew by 100% to become Rs 520 billion
President Musharraf’s Vision and Policies helped Pakistan come out of the list of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) while setting it on the path of prosperity, growth and economic reforms the world institutions like the World Bank, IMF and ADB have been praising Pakistan for its reforms, fiscal policies and macro-economic policies.
UNQUOTE
Dear Mian Sahib, while you are right in upholding the constitution, please also give the devil his due as well where he deserves.
Truly
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
