Asghar Khan’s passing

• An instructive life

Air Marshal (r) Asghar Khan’s military and political life – the latter not without its fair share of mistakes – ought to provide an inspiring template for the present generation of our servicemen and politicians. That is especially true since national politics has moved away from the people and now revolves around slugfests between high-profile and controversial politicians, with the establishment’s footprints all over the place. As an officer, and the first native and youngest ever commander of the national air force, he stood out for his professionalism and leadership capabilities, and of course his central role in modernising the national fleet. It was the high standards he put in place that has enabled the Pakistani Air Force to stand out internationally ever since.

As a politician though, he had his ups and downs, and at least one of his blunders would haunt the nation for a long time. He should never have written that controversial letter to the high command of the defence forces, asking them to withdraw support for the “illegal regime of Bhutto”. He never admitted it, but history would later count this letter as monumental in providing buoyancy to the future far-right conservatism of Gen Zia. He won two seats, from Karachi and Abbotabad, in the 1977 election, but this would be his last victory in politics. Later his boycott of the 1985 election and defeats in 1988 and 1990 showed that he never really understood Pakistani politics. With time his standing, and his reputation, suffered.

Yet the positive points of his career far outshine the negatives. He was thoroughly secular, always pushed for equality and fundamental rights, and never shied away from difficult decisions. He was for friendly, pro-commerce, relations with India, was a bitter critic of the Kargil misadventure, and even questioned the rationale of both countries going nuclear. Importantly, he was the only voice that openly spoke in defence of the Ahmadi community. His famour 1996 case, accusing intelligence agencies of propping up anti-PPP politicians in the ‘90s, blew the lid off the wheeling and dealing that led to the creation of IJI. He also openly called for the military to stay away from politics, often reminding how Jinnah personally advised senior officers to keep their distance from the business of government. With his passing Pakistan loses one of its most distinguished soldiers, intellectual officers and honest politicians.