Defender of Pakistan’s ideological boundaries

By
Yasmeen Aftab Ali
-
64
476

In memory of Naveed Tajammal

 

He was the most learned, rakishly debonair man I had had the privilege of knowing. Naveed Tajammal, a captain in 3rd Baloch was apprehended by General Ziaul Haq in 1980 for attempting a coup against him with many other officers and organised by his father, Major General Tajammal Hussain Malik, the only brigadier who was promoted to the rank of Major General for having refused to lay down his arms in the 1971 war and was taken prisoner of war with his wrists broken, skull cracked open and having thereby fainted. The alleged plan was to assassinate Ziaul Haq on Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March, 1980. Naveed Tajammal was awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment in jail where he served five. The remaining five were rescinded upon the general accepting full responsibility for the aborted coup, thereby allowing all others indicted, including Naveed Tajammal, to go free. The general himself was later released by Gen Mirza Aslam Beg after Zia’s plane crashed on a Hindu Shamshan Ghat in basti Lal Kamal on the historic 17th August, 1988. He was released by his successor General Beg who restored his full military rank and honours. Naveed Tajammal was given a clean chit many years later retiring him honourably from the Army with a statement saying “no fault of the Officer”.

When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged to death and his body was flown to his home village, Naveed Tajammal’s regiment received late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s body. It was Naveed Tajammal who stood on duty at the grave of the departed day in and day out to note who came to visit for the initial 40 days of traditional mourning. I was never tired of listening from the horse’s mouth the sad details of those days. History as it happens, and as it is reported, can often be two different things.

An avid reader and lover of history, he had three masters to his name: Fine Arts, Business Administration and History. Undoubtedly, his love was with history, an affair that lasted until his death from the world at the age of 57 on September 12, 2014. Representatives from Universities in Canada and others would turn up at his doorstep requesting him to deliver lectures on the subject of his research, the Indus Valley Civilisation, where he could unerringly take you back for centuries in timeline. His articles were carried on many blogs and newspapers. A son of the soil, Naveed Tajammal was passionate about Pakistan and her interests. In a piece, The Indus Accord 1960, he writes, “Two sets of laws govern the water disputes: first is the Harmon Doctrine, named after a Judson Harmon, who was the Attorney General of USA in 1895, when arose a dispute between Mexico and USA over the usage of Rio Grande waters. Mexico was a lower riparian, the doctrine above cited gives “absolute territorial sovereignty” to the upper riparian as goes the usage of water resources passing through its lands, though the matter was resolved by a convention held between USA and Mexico on May 21, 1906, by which Mexico got its share of waters.”

Indus valley river system is an ‘international drainage basin’, as the geographical area extends and covers the administrative boundaries of more than two states, from Afghanistan to Chinese administered Tibet in the north east, and to Indian Occupied Kashmir. Technically India cannot claim sovereignty over Kashmir as it remains a disputed state, and the matter is in reference before the world courts while it has over a million troops keeping its control of the area.

“The ILA (International Law Association), a set of rules, drafted in 1966, called “The Helsinki Rules” define the perimeters in case of water related disputes in the cases where the drainage of a basin is international, as stated above. There are 11 main points/clauses that govern the rights of a lower riparian. They are briefly all about the geography of the basin, extent of drainage, and area in the territory of each basin state, the hydrology of the basin, past history of water flow, population dependent on the waters, economic and social needs of each basin state, and the degree to which the needs of a basin state may be satisfied without causing injury to a co-basin state.

India, it seems, follows the Harmon Doctrine while we twiddle our thumbs.”

All his pieces root back in history giving dates, names and all relevant information that made it impossible for anyone to dispute.

In yet another piece titled The Imposters that Now Threaten Balluchistan! (The spelling is NOT a typo but how it was originally spelt), he writes and I share:

“The roots of the system of Sardari in Balluchistan needs a closer scrutiny. The petty sardars were technically abolished by the Presidential Ordinance of 1976, which was focused on abolition of the ‘Sardari system in Balluchistan’.

“Under Naseer Khan Barrohi, the Nizamate of Kalat was divided in four political entities. This Nizamate was the creation of Nadir Shah, to teach a lesson to the Kalhora for not paying the tribute in 1740 AD.

“Naseer khan was a successful administrator and a brave warrior. His administrative areas were:

1) Sarawan, the plateau from Nushki till Sibi, inclusive of present Mari and Bugti region.

2) Jhalawan, the lowlands from Surab to the boundaries of Las Bela.

3) Makuran under the Ghicki Chief, but subservient to the Khan.

4) Kaachi, extending till Harrand-Dajjal, (later, DG Khan district). This region was awarded in lieu of Naseer Khan’s help to Abdali in the third Battle of Panipat against the Mahratta intruders. The point to appreciate and understand here is the system of Naseer Khan.”

Regarding his dealings with tribal chiefs:

“The powers of the Sardars or feudal lords were limited in the Barrohi tenure of rule, until the British jumped in. These Sardars held a consultative position in the matters of importance and in deciding tribal cases. They were as a sort of conciliatory commission. Their duty was that of an arbitrator of peace between the contending parties. In case they failed, the matter was referred to the Khan — the Supreme Power — who in return forwarded it to the Qazi-ul-Quzzat (chief judge) for the final decision. Such was the position of the Sardars in the criminal cases, while civil cases were directly dealt by the Qazi. The Khan was the Court of Appeals in all matters concerning the tribes of the conquered areas. The Sardars (tribal chiefs) were given jagirs by the Khan, and consequently they supplied the Khan with men and material in emergencies. Failing to produce specified quota of men, their jagirs were confiscated. Regarding internal affairs, the Khan acted quite independently in making laws and various other changes in the administrative spheres. While in his dealings with external matters, the feudal lords acted as a sort of advisory council. It was Naseer Khan, who had appointed tribal chiefs through general elections of the tribe by the headmen. Seniority in age and personal distinction were the deciding factors in the nomination of the tribal chief. (History of Baluch Race, by Muhammad Sardar Baluch, Page 85, 1958).

“When the British came and started setting up their new class order, they met with problems in the Nazimate regions. Sir Robert Sandeman was of the view that owing to the democratic setup found amongst the tribes, the headmen (Tumandars) if unsupported could not enforce authority over the unruly spirits and in order to preserve what influence they possessed, they were compelled to follow the path where the unruly spirits led (unruly being those who opposed the British).But the balance of power was turned when the Tumandars were given the means to entertain armed servants of their own, and when supported by suitable allowances and the prestige of connection with ‘OUR’ power. They then can exert themselves successfully, to keep their tribes in order. (Sir Robert Sandeman by T H Thornton, Page 304, 1895).”

The research, references and in-depth study was always superb.

Naveed Tajammal was the unsung hero of Pakistan. The defender of ideological boundaries of his motherland.

Salute!

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64 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for sharing about an Army man and a great person 's contributions,…feel grieved at this loss..you 're a proud wife indeed!

  4. Now that one knows him better through your eyes, how much we have lost in his premature death ! — not to speak of what you lost. Thank you, Yasmeen. I hope we will still be able to read his writings and the planned publication he was working on. – Najma

  5. Dear Yasmeen,

    An excellent tribute to a great man. He was an intellectual and a scholar, I did have a chance to read some of his essays and works which fascinated me to no end.

    His lasting legacy would be a compilation of his works in a book form by you as and when you get to it.

    Regards,

    Ardeshir.

    Sent from my iPad

  7. no match to the research and in depth analytic study composed in a very very simple and interesting way by sir Naveed.He is by all means irreplaceable. not only the loss of one family but to a nation which is drifting from its roots.We are grateful to you being a proud lady belonging to such a ace family of Tajammals,pl continue sharing his work ,a scholar and a gallant soldier never dies

    • Mateen Sahib,
      Naveed was a rare breed & passionate about everything that was related to Pakistan.
      Yasmeen Ali

  8. Very Brave and Determined of you to have written this.I had the fortune of many discussions with him on Indus Civilization and Balochistan. Often I disagreed only to realize that he had his history correct. A great talent lost out to a political culture that encourages certai levels of incompetence for promotion.

  9. Naveed's funeral prayers were held in Army Graveyard, Race Course Rawalpindi, the spot from where he was arrested for alleged coup as at that time Pak Day Joint Services Parade was held at Race Course Rawalpindi and Units participating used to camp in and around Army Graveyard. His prayer was attended by Two three stars serving Generals in Uniform and number of two and one stars serving and retired for which Military Police made all traffic arrangements. I stood there alongside his coffin to recollect all this and thanked Almighty Allah that finally Naveed must be feeling vindicated of those trumped up charges as he left us for his eternal abode with full military honors and protocol. He left with us his countless sweet memories of our stay at Dera Bugti, Nawabshah, Ghari Khuda Bux, Shikarpur and Rahim Yar Khan. He rests now in between the graves of his parents at his native village Thanil Kamal in District Chakwal. May Allah SWT grant sabr e Jameel to Yasmeen, Sherbano and Nausherwan. Aameen.

    • Thanks Ajmal,for the details ,,,I am still in shock from the day I had read his un timely departure,,,And am sure being a brave,honest and guardian of the Ideology of Ummah Islamia Allah Subhaan O Taahala blessed his soul in the best place in Junnat Al firdows,,,with my prayers for SABR e Jameel to his Family, friends and readers,,,

  10. Dear dear friend,
    Although I have been getting fwds from you , I have read this tribute of yours to your husband, with great interest. You have picked up excerpts about issues which have currency today. This calling by the Power leaves at least me at a loss. I had for some time been thinking about coming to meet him. But so are the ways of The One.
    It is through you that Naveed Tajammul has to be kept alive, brave woman.
    The best of regards, Ayesha nee Madani.

  11. Yasmeen Ali – I am surprised and shocked to learn that Naved Tajammal whom I made friend with for past few years has passed away – inna li Allah wa inna elaihey rajeyoon — Allah bless him Jannah

    I always enjoyed his writing and in depth knowledge depicted — I shall indeed miss him all time.

    My heart felt condolence to you and all those who have some attachment with Tajammal marhoom — I have great respect for him and his father both and my sincere most best wishes will continue for you and all the family members. — Hesham A Syed

  12. Alas! We come to know about such legends only when they are no more with us. But thanks to Yasmeen Aftab Ali who wrote such an informative and knowledge-oriented article of Naveed Tajammal. However, we are fortunate enough that we have his great work of history. Salute to Naveed Tajammal.

    SAHARUL QAMAR SIDDIQUI
    KARACHI

  13. Brilliant cadet at the Military Academy ……a taught par excellence than the teachers …… may God bless his soul …..my personal loss .

  16. I had a very close relationship with Gen Tajjamul , when he became the GOC in Jhelum . He was a truely inspired person and honest to the core . He used to get the rations on a tonga to his home , so that a Mil veh was not used for this . I am very sad to hear about the demise his son . May he rest in peace .

  17. Salute to another unsung hero. May Allah swt give you a place in Jannah…Pakistan is surviving due to such person…..

  19. Dear YAA,
    It is a beautiful piece written by you & carries our sentiments too. I was one of the battalion comds on that parade in 1980 & will share my thoughts some times.
    with deep regards

    • Dear Brigadier Yasub,please do write your thoughts in this regards before you make a loss to all us being students in this SCHOOL of thought,,, The Naveed E Know

  20. I welcome this brave lady back on this blog. It is really very courageous to restart your life after such a great tragedy. May God bless you to keep on the fight.

    With best wishes

  21. Yasmeen, reading this it seems to me that we have indeed lost a brave fighter for Pakistan. His loss will be felt even more in the future as the existential battle for water escalates with India. I am in no doubt that this 'battle' will be the most important ever to our survival. And in losing Naveed prematurely we have lost someone who could have guided us and led us to an honourable and equitable solution. I salute him as well.

  22. It is indeed an irreplaceable loss to all of us Pakistanis.
    A gentlemen of first order. We also lost a good human being.
    He will be remembered always.

    YAA – We can well imagine how you & the children feel.
    Take care and stay blessed always.
    Rauf Bhai

  23. Thank you for the great remembrance. I was in Quetta when he was born. Then there was a long hiatus. We met up purely by chance about five years back when I was back on one of my trips to Pakistan. There was a lot of history talk. Neither was conscious then, that sooner or later we are all destined to pass into history. It is so sad that in his case it was to be so soon. May God bless you all.

  24. Yasmeen, I join you in saluting your great husband, who left us so early. I never met him but spoke to him. He was so humble, so charming and so down to earth, all signs of a great man. He was an intellectual par excellence and I avidly read all his research o his deep write ups. He was truly an authority on The Indus Valley Civilization. I have carefully collected and distributed to many of my friends his great research and writings. He is truly an unsung hero of Pakistan, who never craved for any laurels but they came to him regardless. He will be remembered always. With immense sorrow and respect…

  25. It is indeed an irreplaceable loss to all of us Pakistanis.Ma'am! When you lose a person so lovely, surviving the loss is difficult. May Lord make it easy on you. My prayers for my friend.

  26. Sorry to learn about the passing away of this truly patriotic Pakistani and a gentleman soldier. Incidentally both he and his father also feature in my epic book Nothing But! Part 4 Chapter 12 page 379
    regards
    Samir

  27. I was sorry to read the sad news of Naveed Tajammal's demise. We pray for the departed soul and may he rest in heavenly abode. Your write up on him is a good tribute to him

    Please accept my heartfelt condolence.

  28. was away for an extended period and did not get news of this sad event in your life. After I got back and learnt of your great loss I was waiting for you to get over the first pangs of sorrow though this tragedy will remain with you. Naveed Tajammal was indeed a remarkable person. I know of the events in his life though I was away from the country then but I can see from your piece how he bounced back and recovered his life and then lived it to the full.
    Please accept my heartfelt condolences—belated but sincere. May Allah give you courage and Naveed the peace he so richly deserves.
    This is not just your loss but all of us have lost something with Naveed’s passing away.
    JK

  29. Yasmeen

    Thanks for sharing.May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace. Heartfelt condolences

    Shahbaz

  30. He sure was a man of few words with history hidden in his patriotic vision.
    May his soul rest in peace.
    Our love to the family.Take care
    Regards
    Fahim

  31. I met Naveed Tajamal for the first time in 1999 and a few times thereafter.I was also very fond of his articles and writings which were well researched,passionate and without any ambiguity putting accross His point of view on the subject.‎He was a brave,knowledgable and forthright Person and its a Great loss to all those who knew Him and followed His writings.May His soul rest in peace in Jannat.Aameen.
    Sallahuddin Satti.

  32. A Great Tribute………
    Today, Pakistan is surviving only because of its unsung heroes.
    May Allah SWT bless his soul and give courage & patience to the loved ones (Ameen)……

  34. My only interaction with this great man was limited to Veterans Own and a few exchanges. He invited me to visit him anytime I come up north. Alas that was not ordained by the Almighty Allah. What impressed me was his depth of knowledge of variety of subjects. May Allah bless his soul. Ameen

  35. Insaan ki zindagi ka bhi koi bharoasa nahi….. abhi bhi yaqeen nahi aata …. bhai jan ki death ka…. May Allah give him a beautiful place in Jannat-ul-firdos. Aameen sum Aameen

  36. I have read his articles real scholarly pieces. He would always be remembered for his writings.

  37. Thank you so much for sharing.
    I never knew all this.
    Very informative.
    Met CAPT Naveed's brother and your son at the Chehlum.

  38. Dear Yasmeen
    Pakistan and this great Indus valley has lost the only son who had done serious research on this land. I don't know of any man who had has worked so much to retrace the history of this land. May Allah grant him and honorable lace in Jannat–aameen.

  39. Sad that great man is no more with us but you have and hope you will keep on exploring and sharing the intellectual pursuits of a great soldier and scholar
    I am at peace that his most accomplished wife will shoulder his obligations in befitting manners . We are proud of him and equally proud of you
    Take care
    Wahla Brig

  40. I served in 23 Div during 1976 when Gen Tajammal was the GOC. He was a great leader of men and we used to really idolise him.
    I never had the opportunity of meeting Naveed Tajammal in person but knew his life story through the media, especially with reference to his arrest and imprisonment.
    Later, through Pakpotpourri, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to read him and about him in some detail. His research and in depth knowledge of the history of Indus Civilisation was highly impressive. I read almost everything that was posted on this Blog in his name, with great interest. His description of the old old historical events and developments relating to this our part of the world was always spell binding to say the least. I was and am really looking forward to reading all his great research effort in the form of a book/books whenever it is published. And I hope and pray it happens and happens soon. This treasure must be preserved and must not go waste.
    My sincerest prayers for Naveed Tajammal's Maghfirat…..May Allah Almighty bless his soul …. Ameen!
    Brig Latif.
    Sent from my iPhone

  41. I served in 23 Div during 1976 when Gen Tajammal was the GOC. He was a great leader of men and we used to really idolise him.

  42. Thank you for sharing. Pakistan at this stage needs many such patriotic defenders, indeed. May Allah rest his soul in peace and protect Pakistan from the conspiring and wicked enemies of Islam and Pakistan.

    Regards,
    Saad

    Sent from Samsung Mobile

  43. Thank you for sharing something about the life, interests and writings of a courageous and learned man, not to mention that part of our history blighted by Gen. Zia. Sincere condolences to you and your family for your loss.

  46. No words encompass loss , he was last of a generation , one can only hope that his work be preserved for the benefit of future generations,

  47. He was an authority on our regional history. He would kill us with logic and not budge an inch when it came to discussing any issue.

  48. Had Maj Gen Nawazish Ali not died of heart attack in Amman, Jordan, Brig Ziaul Haq, his subordinate, would not have made a General.
    Maj Gen & Capt Tajammal Malik would not have been incarcerated.
    Brig Saiduddin, the senior most Signals officer (My uncle), would not have been denied promotion to Maj Gen.
    Strange are the quirks of fate.

  50. Yasmeen, I join so many who never had met Naveed but still were memerised or in awe of him. Talked to him a few times and realised this is one guy I must meet. After his stroke talked a few times with him and even you, maybe you may not remember me for living with a legend all others look so ordinary with all faults which all men have in common. He was very generous, had invited me and extended the courtesy to use his collection of old cars from my driving pleasure.
    The world goes on, we too will live till our time but men like Naveed or his great father live for ever.
    May God help you in dealing with life without him and may Allah reward him Jannah. Ameen. Rgds. Shahbaz Azmi

  51. A soldier who was destined to reach the higher command echelon of the Army of Pakistan but his life was changed due to intrigue and conspiracy by people who were jealous of him. Naveed Shahib never lost his faith in Allah and emerged much wiser and matured from the jail where he was sent on fabricated charges. Naveed immersed himself into seeking the roots of the very clique that had forced many young people to apparent ruination and his writings bear testimony to success of his quest. Naveed's sudden demise shocked and bewildered us – Prayer for my dear friend Naveed –

    O Allah! Forgive him and have Mercy on him and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him and cause his entrance to be wide and wash him with water and snow and hail.Cleanse him of his transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains. Take him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave (and of the fire). Aameen.

  53. Dear Yasmeen,

    I m currently out of the country and learnt with deep sorrow of the sad demise of Naveed Tajammal. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with you and others in the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

    Shamshad

    Sent from my iPad

  54. Thanks for sharing this great information..!

    Take care, Eid Greetings and have a pleasant & peaceful Eid..!

    Best Regards,

    Shaikh Irfan Aziz

  56. Dear Yasmeen,

    I m currently out of the country and learnt with deep sorrow of the sad demise of Naveed Tajammal. In this hour of grief, my thoughts and prayers are with you and others in the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

    Shamshad

  57. Dear Yasmeen,
    I knew his father, fought the war and and were POWs.
    I can very proudly say that he was my student in the Basic Army Courses and remember him as a mischievous young officer
    May Allah Bless him…..
    Lt Col(retd) Tahitr Anjum

  59. dear yasmeen bibi
    A O A
    how sad n unfortunate
    I am really shocked by the news of your husbands sudden passing away If you remember the last e mail i sent to you, not knowing he is no more, i had wished n prayed for his recovery
    May Allah swt give him an elated place in Jannah n courage to you to bear this great loss
    ameen
    k aziz

  60. I lost a brother, a cousin, a very loved one but I still want to believe that:
    He Is Not Dead

    I cannot say, and I will not say
    That he is dead. He is just away.
    With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
    He has wandered into an unknown land
    And left us dreaming how very fair
    It needs must be, since he lingers there.
    And you—oh you, who the wildest yearn
    For an old-time step, and the glad return,
    Think of him faring on, as dear
    In the love of There as the love of Here.
    Think of him still as the same. I say,
    He is not dead—he is just away.”

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