Air Marshal Nur Khan, the man of steely courage, indomitable will, and unimpeachable integrity is now no more among us. With him gone, there is no hope either that anyone with even a fraction of his genius will ever come to the rescue of our failing airline, or our sports organisations. Only the man now buried in the desolation of village Tamman of Attock district knew how a novice airline of a nascent state, with little assets and resources, could be raised to the Hyperion heights of its glory, setting standards of highest excellence in the history of airlines of the world. Under his command, ‘Great People to Fly With’ was indeed a trusted slogan, a catch-word, the people around the world believed and everyday found it flashed in world renowned papers and periodicals.
For six years (1959 to 1965) he served as MD, PIA, during which he provided it a very sound financial basis which enabled it to increase its fleet every year by purchasing the most modern aircrafts. In the 70’s PIA became the first Asian airline to operate jet planes. During his second term in 1973, he inducted Boeing 720B jets in its fleet and introduced new and lucrative routes to China and to Europe via Moscow. From then onward, PIA started operating DC-10 and 747s. He did not allow politics to interfere in his work and ran the airline in the spirit of true professionalism, infusing it with innovations and new ideas.
As a valiant fighter of Pakistan Air Force, he rose to the position of Chief of Air Staff in 1965 and with his sheer hard work and dedication, did a hero’s job by gaining air superiority over three-times bigger the Indian Air Force during the 1965 War.
As a fine administrator of uncanny abilities, his contributions to the field of sports are enough to keep his name remembered forever. He founded the Pakistan Hockey Federation in 1976 and later headed the Pakistan Cricket Board steering both the sports to the highest international standards. It redounds to his credit that in both these sports where politics and nepotism play havoc, Mr Nur khan maintained his austere principles of merit and fair play and his person remained completely non-controversial.
Being no more with us, we sadly miss him. He was our hero both in war and peace. May God bless his soul!
ZAFAR AZIZ CHOUDHRY
Lahore