Late Air Marshal Nur Khan has been profoundly complimented for his exemplary leadership role as chief of the Pakistan Air Force, and later twice at the helm of the PIA.
Nur Khan kept himself away from public life for many years. His statements seldom appeared in newspapers. Also, his admirers did not arrange any significant public event to acknowledge his achievements and personality.
Shouldn’t our civil society consider appreciating and recognising the role played by people like Nur Khan? Shouldn’t we pay homage to such personalities in their lifetime rather than after their death? This will enable those still holding public positions to be emulated as role models.
The wrongs, if any, should also be brought to light in their lifetime to provide them opportunity to offer clarifications as a human is always prone to mistakes. I had an opportunity of observing Nur Khan who once handled a group of students in Nawabshah when he was Governor West Pakistan way back in 1969. I was a college student then. While walking to the college, I saw a small group of students agitating over the transfer of the headmaster of the district council high school, Nawabshah. He had held that position for a very long time.
The students were determined to approach the Governor. En route spotting the crowd Nur Khan stopped the motorcade and inquired about the problem. After getting the details he directed the then deputy commissioner to review the transfer order which was immediately complied with.
Later entering practical life I realised how much our system of governance is centralised even in present times. The local administration’s decision was overturned within no time, leaving them in utter embarrassment.
S BUKHARI
Karachi