Our Teachers through their Autographs

By Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, 671/Latif House

Published in Petaro and Petarians Over 50 Years ©
Edited and Published by Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, 2007

I have a little autograph book that has been one of my greatest treasures since I left
Cadet College Petaro in 1969. It contains autographs of most of my teachers and some
close friends at Petaro. This small book is a treasure-house of the sentiments
expressed, and reflective of the character of our teachers and my colleagues.
Whenever I flip through its pages, it reminds me of so many things that I have been
taught as a child. It is those values that were ingrained in me during my formative
years which indeed bring out the best in me. I am indeed thankful to my teachers and
my mentors for all I gained from them – for their words of wisdom and for their well
wishes and blessings.

Cdr.(R) Firoz Shah’s Autograph

When I approached Cdr. Firoz Shah – who was our principal in
1969 – for his autograph, it didn’t take him a minute to write his
thoughts down immediately. Our final Intermediate exams had
been delayed due to the disturbances and agitation against Field
Marshall Ayub Khan all over Pakistan. It was already the month of
July, and Petaro was simmering. Only the 12th class was still
around in the college to sit for the final Board exams. All other
cadets had gone home much earlier.
On the 21st of July 1969, the first man ever in the history of
mankind – Neil Armstrong – and his colleague landed on the moon.
We were all excited that day, trying to see the pictures of the moon
landing on TV.
I happened to approach Commander Sahib that very day, requesting him to write in
my little book. It seems that this event had overcome him too. As he pondered over
the achievements of man, the words seem to flow automatically on to the page.
Indeed, those who conquered space are men like us and not super beings. The destiny
of Pakistan lies in our hands – men and women who can also achieve heights in every
field of life.

“Remember
space has
been
conquered
today and
those who
have
accomplished
the task are
men like
you.”

Signed Firoz Shah

Cdr. Firoz Shah’s own handwriting and signature 21.7.1969
Prof. Syed Shaida Azim’s Autograph
Mr. Syed Shaida Azim (or S.S. Azim as he was normally known as)
was the college Vice Principal as long as we were at Cadet College
Petaro. Later on, he rose to become the only permanent civilian
college principal from 1972 to 1975. All others were retired or in
service Pakistan Navy officers, except for Colonel Coombes who was
from the Army.
Azim Sahib was indeed an “azeem” personality. He was a master at
English and at Mathematics though he only taught us English at
Petaro. His greatness lay in his extensive knowledge base and his
command over the subjects he taught.
Azim Sahib used to talk very fast, and move very fast. For those of you who remember
him, I am sure that you will recall many interesting anecdotes about him.
The autograph Azim Sahib wrote for me is so reflective of his personality. You must
know him to appreciate what he wrote for me. Just imagine him saying these words
very quickly with his own tongue, in short bursts, and then disappearing from the
scene as fast as he would have entered the room.
He was without a doubt a very benevolent person, and truly a fatherly figure where he
always treated us like little boys – and as his own sons. In fact, if you visit him even
today at Maymar Apartments in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, he will tell you that he has 7000
sons. This short autograph is so telling of his goodness and how he relates to us. Azim
Sahib is 90 years old now masha Allah, and still going strong despite his age and the
tragedy of the death of his dear wife last year.

“You are a
good boy
and I hope
you will
continue to
be good
throughout
your life.”

Signed S.S. Azim

8th July, 1969

Mr. S.S. Azim’s own handwriting and signature

Prof. Aziz Ahmed Faruqi’s Autograph

Mr.Aziz Ahmed Faruqi was one of the first 5 staff members ever
to join the college in 1957. He retired from the college in 1988,
and presently lives a retired life in Karachi with his son Cdr.(R)
Rashid Faruqi, kit no. 7192.
Faruqi Sahib was another great institution at Petaro. He used to
teach us Urdu. During the 1960's he got his second M.A. - this
time in English Literature and won a gold medal. I remember that
day, because then he also started taking some English language classes as well.
Faruqi Sb was famous for his intellectual discourses. He was definitely anti-mullah, and
had a flair for left of the center thought in his philosophical leanings. This is so well
reflected in his autograph he wrote for me, where he is critical of the typical "ritualism"
in our society. In fact, he knew me well in how my fledgling mind worked. While at
Petaro, I was deeply involved with the Tableeghi Jamaat, going to the dorms every
week on gasht and inviting everyone for namaz. We used to have our weekly tableeghi
talk at the masjid. I would never miss my namaz. And I was so deep into the spiritual
activities that I would rarely miss the roza (fasting) of the 13th, 14th and 15th of every
month.
Faruqi Sb's almost prophetic autograph hit me many years later. I had left Petaro and
gone off to Turkey for doing my engineering at METU. I stayed in Ankara, Turkey for 2
years, and during those 2 years all my namaz and nafil rozas were gone. I did pray
Juma namaz, but my regular prayers were left behind at Petaro. I would remember
Allah at times, but the material world showed me that all my rituals were meaningless.
I had never understood Islam or the true meaning of faith in all those years with the
Petaro Tableeghi Jamaat. It was a great spiritual experience in a specific environment,
but devoid of true understanding of Allah. Finally, it was when I moved to Boston, USA
to study at MIT when I started to re-discover God and the true meaning of faith. It was
a journey of a life when I realized that banging my head on the ground or repeated
incantations of tasbeeh alone could not lead me to the ultimate reality. Despite all that,
East Pakistan was lost, and we Muslims killed each other.
I believe I have a much better appreciation of what is the true meaning of humanity in
Islam now. And I pray to the Almighty to grant me greater understanding of faith
through love of mankind - not through mere ritualism. I have been regular in my
prayers once again for decades. But now it is not merely for the sake of ritualism.
Prayer and all other faraiz must be a part and parcel of a greater reality.
I finally met Faruqi Sb again in 2001, after nearly 32 years. He now has a long beard,
and looks more like a maulvi himself. I am sure he too has gone through his own
experience in life and has found his ultimate reality.
May Allah bless Faruqi Sb for being one of those who guided me towards seeking faith
with understanding - moving beyond the simplicity of utter blindness!
By the way, just for the sake of those who do not understand Persian, Faruqi Sb
summarized the meaning of the Persian couplet he wrote in English in that autograph
page.

“Do not be
from the
people who
deceive God
by prostrating
before him
and counting
beads for the
Prophet.”

Signed Aziz Ahmed

Faruqi
12th
July, 1969

Mr. Aziz Ahmed Faruqi’s own handwriting and signature

Sqn.Ldr. A.A. Shaikh’s Autograph
Sqn. Ldr. A.A. Shaikh - may Allah have mercy on his soul - died of tongue cancer back
in 1986.
Shaikh Sahib was the Senior House Master of the College, and was next in rank only to
the Vice Principal Mr. S.S. Azim. He also used to teach us English.
Shaikh Sahib left Petaro rather early - in 1971. After leaving Petaro, he became
Controller of Examinations at Karachi University, a post he held until his last days.
Shaikh Sahib was one of the most unique of all our teachers. He had a great sense of
humour in a very serious style. Therefore the students would enjoy his class very
much. Let me give you one incident. Shaikh Sahib used to laugh very loudly - just like
he spoke very loudly. Many a time, his jokes would not be understood by the students,
but the students would make it a point to laugh as loudly as Shaikh Sahib did. Once
we were in class and Shaikh Sahib cracked a joke, and the entire class guffawed in the
loudest of laughs. Azim Sahib (the Vice Principal) was on his regular rounds to check
the classes. Hearing this loud noise, he immediately walked in and in and in 5 seconds
expressed his disgust in the fastest speech ever (he used to speak so fast that many
times we wouldn’t understand what he said). Then as Azim Sahib walked out, Shaikh
Sahib laughed aloud, and all the class laughed in chorus with an even louder laugh.
Azim Sahib didn’t bother to come back.
When Shaikh Sahib spoke, he always had an "a" after every phrase while he thought of
what to say next. So for example, he would say "You...aa...... what are you.....aa .....
doing?" etc. Because of these aaaaa's, he was referred to as Shaikhaaaa the mighty.
Despite all these laughs, Shaikh Sahib was one of the most upright and disciplined of
our teachers and officers. He used to exercise every morning rigorously, and
emphasized discipline.
In this autograph, Shaikh Sahib wrote about a malaise that had already stricken
Pakistani society at that time in the 1960s. We had already demonstrated that as a
nation we did not have the character that is required to become a great people. We
were devoid of honesty, and corruption had entered our homes at different levels.
Little did Shaikh Sahib know that rather than moving in the right direction, we would
continue to build on this lack of character, and make the hillock of corruption into
mountains of corruption. Every successive generation and leader seemed to try and
exceed the limits reached by the previous one in corruption.

“Character is a
commodity
that is very
much in short
supply at
present in
Pakistan. Look
after your own
character
foremost.”

Signed A.A. Shaikh,

Sqn.Ldr. A.A. Shaikh’s own handwriting and signature Sqn.Ldr.
12th July, 1969

May Allah rest Shaikh Sahib in peace in Jannatul Firdaus, and grant him the prayers to
rebuild the character of this nation.
There is one last point I would like to mention about Shaikh Sahib. One of his
daughters got married to Capt. Zaheerul Islam Abbasi who was the Adjutant of the
College from 1966-1969 in our days. Captain Sb rose up to become a Major General in
the Army and was eventually court-martialed in an accusation to overthrow the Benazir
government in 1995. He served 7 years in jail and now lives a retired life in Chaklala,
Rawalpindi. He is a great guy, and if you haven’t met him, you would want to. He is a
great Pakistani and a great Muslim. While Abbasi Sahib was in Haripur Jail, his wife (the
daughter of Shaikh Sahib) held the fort, and got 2 of his children married and saw the
graduation of the other 2. She must be a lady of strong character like her father to be
able to manage in that massive crisis in her life and bring up her children.

Prof. Ch. Saeed Ahmed’s Autograph

I am sure that most of you will remember Ch. Saeed Ahmed
Sahib as the head of the Physics Department at CCP almost all
of his nearly 29 years at Petaro. He joined CCP in 1960 and
retired from there in 1989.
Saeed Sahib was also my house master (at Latif House)
throughout the period I was at CCP (1965-1969). Saeed Sahib
was a very successful house master during our time. Latif
House had been the youngest of the houses (Iqbal and Qasim
Houses were built in 1966 and 1967), and therefore it inherited
a mixed bag of students from different houses. It was
considered as a pappoo house, always looking only for credits
for the Credit Cup.
However, it was to Saeed Sahib's key insight towards selecting students from the
incoming new entries that allowed Latif House to rise up to become the Champion
House. For the last 3 years of my stay at Petaro as well as the last 3 years of Saeed
Sahib's tenure as house master, Latif House retained the Champions Cup consecutively.
It became an all-rounder house, being the best in Academics as well as taking many of
the sports trophies. I must say that the credit for this achievement goes to Saeed
Sahib. He made sure that he selected some of the best cadets on both the academic
side as well as sports.

“With malice
towards none;
with charity for
all; with
firmness to see
the right, as
God gives us to
see the right.”

Signed Saeed
Ahmed,
15th July, 1969
Ch. Saeed Ahmed’s own handwriting and signature

During those years, I remember Saeed Sahib with fond memories of a father-like
figure. He always depicted a sort of kindness and love that was beyond expression. And
when he wrote me this autograph, it struck me that indeed these words were a true
reflection of what Saeed Sahib stood for - although he probably had never expressed
himself in so many words to us before. Being against malice, and stressing on charity
and firmness truly forms the bedrock of success. And Saeed Sahib was successful in
that period relying on these very same qualities. He had an uncanny way of expressing
himself so quietly, and maintaining discipline within the house.
In recent years, I have had the opportunity of meeting Saeed Sahib a few times. And
each time, all I could see were the tears of love in his eyes. He still leads a simple life,
and keeps to himself and prays for us.
For those of you who are not aware, he is also the father of Nadeem Zaigham (kit no.
808/Latif) who was instrumental in starting Petariantalk. Saeed Sahib now lives in
Model Town, Lahore.
May Allah grant a long life to Saeed Sahib with health and prosperity!

Prof. Feroz Yusuf Khan’s Autograph

The late Mr. Feroz Yusuf Khan was head of the department of
Chemistry at Petaro in the 1960s. When I joined Petaro, Feroz
Sahib was also the house master of Liaquat House. Later on
Bhatti Sahib took on this position. I am sure that the early
Liaquatians could would have many interesting stories to tell us
about Feroz Sahib.
Most Petarians will not remember Feroz Sahib since he left
Petaro rather early in 1969. I do not have details of when he
died, but I understand that he is buried in Karachi.
Feroz Sahib was one of the coolest of all our teachers. And I
have yet to find a better teacher of Chemistry. It was solely
because of his teaching method that I fell in love with Organic Chemistry, and
eventually ended up doing my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT. Had it not been
for him, I am certain that I would have been doing some other engineering.
For all the lovers of Ahad Sahib, please note that it was Feroz Sahib who was his boss,
and it was he who brought Ahad Sahib to Petaro.
Feroz Sahib had a deep voice, and his guttural "aray bhi" coming from deep within his
chest in the long drawl is unforgettable.

“Ishqi hum
kotaah qadon
mein ko’ee bhi
Suqraat nahin

Sach kay gun

to sab gaatay
hain sach ka
zeher piyayga
kaun?.”

Signed Feroz Yusuf

Khan,
12th July, 1969
Mr. Feroz Yusuf Khan’s own handwriting and signature

He was a class in himself, and one of the best of educationists in the country at that
time (in my opinion). And the principles he stood for are so well enumerated in the
autograph he wrote for me. Truly, how many are there amongst us who talk of
honesty, yet how many are there who will drink the poison to uphold honesty like
Socrates (or Suqraat) did? I suppose that is a dying species - if it isn’t extinct already.
Most of us are hypocrites. How loudly do we proclaim that we must bring in honesty,
yet we deceive ourselves.
May Allah rest Feroz Sahib's soul in peace in Jannatul Firdaus!
Prof. M. Akram Bhatti
Although I do not have an autograph of Bhatti Sabib, I cannot
resist writing a few words about him. Like Toor Sahib, his
command over Mathematics was incredible. And he was a good
learner himself.
During the summer of 1967, the Ministry of Education changed
the syllabus of FSc, and brought in tremendous changes in the
subject matter taught for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
For the first time, they included Calculus and Differential
Equations. Our teachers were sent on special training courses
that summer so that they could teach us the subject properly.
I suppose had it not been for Bhatti Sahib, we would have
flunked in Calculus and Differential Equations. He was able to pick up the subject very
quickly and taught us in a very professional manner.
Bhatti Sahib became the House Master of Liaquat House after Feroz Yusuf Khan Sahib.
Most of us remember Bhatti Sahib for the simple two-worded four-letter words that he
used to utter. He had a knack of controlling the boys through language rather than with
the use of his hands. And he was effective.
Bhatti Sahib now leads a semi-retired life in Lahore, not far from where Toor Sahib
lives. May Allah grant him a long life with good health.

Prof. Tariq Mustafa Khan’s Autograph

If there was a truly well dressed and soft-spoken gentleman at
Petaro, it was the late Tariq Mustafa Sahib. He had class. He stood
out amongst my teachers without a doubt.
Tariq Sahib was the House Master of Jinnah House during my days
– the house which was furthest from my Latif House. However, I
had a very unique relationship with him. He was my Geography
teacher, and I was the only student in his class. It was a one
teacher – one student class.
In our days, every student was required to take an elective course
in Matric. Since most of the 9th Class boys had no real inkling of their own aptitude, the
college used to test their abilities in the different electives being offered through an
examination, and would then advise the boy on which elective would suit his best.
Options available included Drawing, Agriculture, Biology, Electricity, Sindhi in addition
to Geography.

“Nazar mili hay

to is ko bahar
saaz bana,

Nazar to maa’il-
e rangeeni-e
bahar na kar :
Jigar.”

Signed Tariq Mustafa

12th July, 1969

Mr. Tariq Mustafa Khan’s own handwriting and signature

When the results for our tests were posted, I had scored 100% in Geography. Mr. Azim
called me to his office and insisted that I should take Geography although I was more
inclined to take Drawing classes with Mr. Zuberi. I was in two minds. Tariq Sahib was a
favourite teacher too. I finally succumbed, and accepted. And when the lists were
published, I found out that all my colleagues were adjusted in other classes, while I
was the only one in Geography.
Therefore, we never sat in a classroom. Tariq Sahib would take me to the Library and
pull out some of the most wonderful books on Geography. We had the TIME-LIFE series
books and many others. We would sit and talk about many interesting aspects of how
this universe exists and about the earth, the oceans, the skies, the mountains, and all
different aspects. It used to be the most relaxing of periods.
Tariq Sahib’s autograph is so reflective of what he sought to teach me. It is visions and
insight that can lead to optimism and a desire to attain excellence. One has to be a
visionary. And my Geography lessons took me away from the starkness of science and
mathematics, exploring the other side of one’s life - the humanities - that brings out
the best in a person.
May Allah grant Tariq Mustafa Sahib the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus!

Prof. M.S. Toor’s Autograph

I was probably extremely fortunate to have the best of
Mathematics teachers. My favourites were Bhatti Sahib and
Toor Sahib. Unfortunately, I do not have an autograph of
Bhatti Sahib, although I would love to write about him.
It was these two great teachers of mine who I should give
full credit for my love for Mathematics and my success in
the subject. It was rare that I would not score 100% in the
subject.
Toor Sahib had full trust over my command over the
subject. Whenever he would mark my examination paper,
he would simply mark every question 100% right without
even going through the details. And then he would get me
to write the answers on the black board after returning the
papers.
I realized this when once when he returned my paper, I found out that I had made a
mistake in one question for which he should have deducted 2 marks, and he had not
done so. I walked up to him and asked him to re-check that question. He smiled and
took the 2 marks away, and then gave me one mark for honesty. I got 99.
It was Toor Sahib who forced me to go see an ophthalmologist because I couldn’t see
the blackboard clearly although I used to sit in the first row.
Toor Sahib was a feared man. He would not tolerate any nonsense, and quite a few of
his students would recall (with great pleasure) how Toor Sahib would box them when
he lost his temper.
The uncanny part of Toor Sahib was that he had a squint eye. So you would never
know which direction he was actually seeing. This was probably a great boon for Toor
Sahib, as he would catch boys when they would least expect him. They would think he
was looking at someone else while he would be watching their antics. And he was
unforgiving.
He rewarded sincerity and hard work, and was severe with those who played games
with him. This is so well reflected in the simple line he wrote for me below.
 “Sincerity
of purpose
will lead
you to the
ladder of
success.”

Signed M.S.
Toor
12th July, 1969

Mr. M.S. Toor’s own handwriting and signature

Toor Sahib has not been keeping good health over the past few years. He suffers from
heart disease and is restricted in his travel. However, he still teaches Mathematics and
is considered to be one of the best in Lahore even today. May Allah grant Toor Sahib a
long life with health!

Prof. A.A. Naqvi’s Autograph

Hitlerian in looks (due to his moustache) but not in his outlook,
Naqvi Sahib was another teacher of his kind. He used to teach
us Civics, which was a requirement in our Matric curriculum.
The subject was boring to the nth degree; but Naqvi Sahib was
the only one who kept it alive.
I am not sure how many of my classmates actually understood
what was being taught. The concepts were deep, trying to instill
a sense of political awareness and civic duty in our young
minds. Unfortunately, most of us merely memorized those
paragraphs and sentences, never really understanding their
importance in our lives to come or in our careers.

“Work implies self-

realization and self-
sacrifice in equal
measure. One has to
plunge oneself into
work for the good of
mankind, nay for the
betterment of the
entire universe.

I am sure you will

do.”

Signed Ali Asghar Naqvi

11th July, 1969
Mr. A.A. Naqvi’s own handwriting and signature
Naqvi Sahib was eloquent, and knew how to use big words - many of which were not
understood by us. He talked of how to truly convert these concepts by “plunging”
ourselves into work for the betterment of mankind and the entire universe. His
autograph for me took me back to my Civics class. His lecturing continues; and such
lectures should be a constant reminder to all of us at every juncture of our lives. Let us
continue to be of service to all.
Naqvi Sahib settled down in Daressalam, Tanzania in his later years with his son Sohail,
kit no. 7417. He is buried in that country. May Allah grant Naqvi Sahib the choicest
place in Jannatul Firdaus!

Prof. Mukhtar Siddiqui’s Autograph

Mukhtar Siddiqui Sahib was never my teacher, although he was the
darling of many of my batch mates. I had always been groomed in
the English tradition, and thus my grounding in Urdu was weak. I
was a student of “salees Urdu”. Mukhtar Sahib’s philosophical bent
of mind and his eloquence in Urdu were beyond me.
But he was there all around us. He was par excellence in Urdu
poetry and was the hub of many of the cultural and artistic
activities at Petaro. In our times, he was the one who supervised
“Funkada”, the Drama Club of Petaro.

“Yahan kotahi
zauq-e amal
hay khud
giriftari,

Jahan bazoo
simat-tay hain
waheen sayyad
hota hai.”

Signed Mukhtar
Siddiqui
11th July, 1969

Mr. Mukhtar Siddiqui’s own handwriting and signature

Mukhtar Sahib was always very humble and soft spoken. And it was purely through his
intellectual discourses that he was able to attract many of his students towards himself.
Even to this day, his students are mesmerized whenever they talk about him.
Mukhtar Sahib now lives in Karachi and is very frail. Ever since his fall and fracture of
his hip bone, his movement is very restricted. But he always welcomes his students.
May Allah ease his pain, and give him health and happiness!

Prof. Syed Wasiul Hasan

Wasi Sahib was my teacher for a brief period – in 9th class when
he taught me Civics. It was he who taught us the concepts of
government. For the first time in my life, I was exposed to the
concepts of democracy and the “basic democracy” of Ayub Khan.
Other than that, he was the housemaster of the neighboring
Ayub House.
Prof. John Mumtaz’s Autograph
The late John Mumtaz Sahib was truly an all-rounder. He was one
of our Physics teachers - and one of the best in teaching Physics.
He was a great sports coach as well.
John Mumtaz Sahib rarely spoke in Urdu. He would feel more
comfortable talking in English. However, his spoken English was
unique in its style of expression. When he would be perturbed or
exasperated, you would know it through his expression “Oye
Look-o Mister!” At the same time, he was a thorough gentleman.
He was always very prompt, hard working and disciplined. These
characteristics of his are beautifully demonstrated in his short
autograph he wrote for me 37 years ago. Work ethics are extremely important in one’s
life. And coupled with universal brotherhood, these can bring luck and success. May
Allah bless Mr. John Mumtaz’s soul.

“WORK IS
WORSHIP

Work to
Create
Universal
Brotherhood.
Wish you good
luck in your
Future Life.”

Signed John
Mumtaz
Mr. John Mumtaz’s own handwriting and signature 21st July, 1969

Prof. Ch. Abdul Ghani

Ghani Sahib was never my teacher as such although he was very
much around during our time. However, my interaction with him was
rather close due to the fact that he was the Asst. House Master of
Latif House. He had joined CCP in 1966.
Ghani Sahib was very soft and loving towards the boys. I do not
recall Ghani Sahib ever raising his voice.
Normally the Latifians were considered to be the most “shareef” of
all the Petarians. But sometimes we too played some pranks. A new song was on the
market titled “Hello Hello! Mr. Abdul Ghani”. We fell in love with it, and we went to
Hyderabad and bought a copy of the 45rpm record (there were no tape-recorders
then). And we would then play that song in the Radio Room at the loudest pitch. One
day, Saeed Sahib got upset and walked in, picked up the record and smashed it on the
wall. That was the end to it.
I met Ghani Sahib next in 1996 at Petaro, shortly before his retirement when he was
the Vice Principal. I was passing by Hyderabad, and I called him on the phone. I had
thought that he may not even remember me. To my utter surprise, not only did he
remember me but he insisted that I come immediately. He had laid out a full “High
Tea” for me at his home. Ghani Sahib now leads a retired life in Faisalabad. May Allah
give him good health and a long life!

Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Khan’s Autograph

Several months after Ahad Sahib joined Petaro, we got another
Chemistry teacher. This was none other than Mr. Mohammed
Ahmed Khan.
Ahmed Sahib was our Inorganic Chemistry teacher, and he was
also the hockey coach for the college team. He left Petaro early -
in 1972 - and returned to his father’s lands in Nawabshah where
he has been settled all along.
Ahmed Sahib is one man who has always made an effort to keep
up his contacts with me and with all of his students. After I left
Petaro, I was abroad for over a decade. Upon my return to
Pakistan, I worked at Zelin Limited (Karachi) on Victoria Road
between 1980 and 1982. Ahmed Sahib found out through someone that I was there.
One day while I was in my office, he walked in and asked me if Kazi Zulkader is
around. I told him that this is my name. He immediately blurted out, then don’t you
recognize me? I retorted, when you didn’t recognize me, how do you expect me to
recognize you? He smiled – that most unforgettable smile. And it was obvious to me as
to who he was. He had come all the way only to meet me, not knowing how much I
may have changed.
It is rare to find your own teacher who keeps on monitoring your movements in life and
being concerned at how you are doing. Such is Ahmed Sahib. He does not simply say
that I love you. He demonstrates it through deed. Periodically, he calls each one of us
and finds out how we are doing. He demonstrates this care very vividly. So when he
wrote “with heaps of love” in that autograph, he was not just saying it out of courtesy.

“For Kazi
Zulkader with
heaps of love

A man would do
nothing if he
waited until he
could do it so
well that no one
would find fault
with what he
has done –
Cardinal
Newman”

Signed Mohd. Ahmed

Khan
11th July, 1969
Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Khan’s own handwriting and signature
Many of us do remember Ahmed Sahib in different ways. After Azim Sahib, if there
was another teacher who would talk and walk fast, it was Ahmed Sahib. At times, it
would even be difficult to understand some of his expressions and jokes as he would
swallow words. But even if you didn’t, you would smile and laugh with him.
We can never forget the famous Chemical Club which he used to head. We wouldn’t
miss an opportunity to go to Hyderabad to buy “falsa” so that we could make “sharbat”
and have it preserved through Ahmed Sahib’s concoctions. Recently, he didn’t forget to
send me 8 bottles of some other types of very healthy sharbat - all the way from
Nawabshah. That is the typical Ahmed Sahib – always caring and loving.
Ahmed Sahib’s life is exemplary in many ways. He has always demonstrated a very
strong character. The latest tragedy in his life was the loss of his second son Shoaib, kit
no. 8482/Latif, who died of cancer a few weeks ago. It is amazing how Ahmed Sahib
kept his calm and buried his own son.
Ahmed Sahib never waited for anyone. This is reflected beautifully in his advice to me
in his autograph below. One must recognize the realities of this life and not be lost
merely in idealism. We must take a step at a time - however imperfect it may be.
May Allah grant Ahmed Sahib a long life with vigor and health!

Prof. Inayat Ali Khan

Amongst all my teachers, the one who had a deep impact on my
thought process was none other than Prof. Inayat Ali Khan.
Unfortunately, for some reason or the other, I could not obtain
his autograph in 1969.
Inayat Sahib was my Urdu teacher. I was very weak in Urdu
language, and was therefore relegated to the “salees Urdu” class.
It was our fortune that Inayat Sahib was assigned the task of
bringing us up to speed.
The point I would like to make here is that it was Inayat Sahib’s
thought process, his behaviour, his attitude, and his simplicity that had a very lasting
impression on me. He was the epitome of humbleness, and he was a true reflection of
the characteristics demanded of a Muslim.
I continued to correspond with Inayat Sahib even after I left Petaro from Turkey and
the USA. During the summer of 1973, I was visiting Pakistan from Boston. By then, I
had become deeply involved with Muslim community activities at MIT. I traveled from
Karachi to Hyderabad especially to meet Inayat Sahib. Hafeez (542) accompanied me.
And we sat at Inayat Sahib’s house for probably more than 6 hours trying to solve the
problems of the world. Those were the days of idealism. And Inayat Sahib was also
relatively young and full of vigor.
The next I met him was more than 28 years later at the great reunion of my batch
mates in 2001. What a man! He had not changed at all. The same simplicity, the same
demeanor, the same humbleness! This is all despite the fact that over the years he
has gained fame as a satirist and a poet of national stature. His books and poems are
worth reading. May Allah grant Inayat Sahib a long life with health!

Prof. Abdul Ahad Khan’s Autograph

Ahad Sahib was an institution within himself, and is known to
almost every generation of Petarians who passed out from there.
Let me say a couple things about Ahad Sahib (may Allah grant
him the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus).
Ahad Sahib joined Petaro the same year as I did, i.e. in 1965.
During our period, i.e. the 1960s, he was known more as a
maverick amongst all the teachers. His cutting sarcastic remarks
have gone down in the history of Petaro as masterpieces in
themselves. Almost every Petarian of every generation would
have preserved some caustic remark of Ahad Sahib in his memory.
It used to be a rarity to see Ahad Sahib smile. Yet when he wrote this autograph for
me, I was wonderstruck that all he could think about was a smile – which seemed to be
the anti-thesis of this great man. I realized that despite his firm demeanor, Ahad Sahib
in fact had a smiling heart. And that was truly reflected in his remarks which not only
evoked smiles but often led to laughter and guffaws.
So let me dedicate this epitaph to his love for all Petarians - with all the smiles.

“Smile is the
key which
opens the lock
of the love.”

Signed A.Ahad Khan

21st July, 1969

Mr. Abdul Ahad Khan’s own handwriting and signature

Prof. M.H. Taqvi’s Autograph

My first Mathematics teacher in 9th class at Petaro was Taqvi Sahib.
Although very loud in his expression, the late Taqvi Sahib was one
of the most loving creatures of God that I have ever met. He always
had utmost regard for me, treating me like his own son.
However, Taqvi Sahib was not a very innovative person. He would
rather echo thoughts that were in harmony with his own rather than
expressing his thoughts in his own words. The following autograph
was written by Taqvi Sahib after he glanced through my autograph
book and saw what Toor Sahib had written. Those thoughts
resonated with his own, and Taqvi Sahib immediately wrote the
same thoughts down with a small change. Indeed, Taqvi Sahib was a very sincere
person himself, and that was the key to his success. May Allah grant Taqvi Sahib the
choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus!

“Sincerity of
purpose will
always help
you in the
attainment of
your goal in
life.”

Signed M.H. Taqvi

18th July, 1969

Mr. M.H. Taqvi’s own handwriting and signature

Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi’s Autograph
During the 1960’s, the Adjutant of the college was always a captain
from the Pakistan Army. Pakistan Navy was thus represented by a
“Naval Officer” of the rank of a Lieutenant Commander. It was only
in the early 1970s when Pakistan Navy took over the total
management control and the Army Adjutants came to an end,
replaced by naval officers.
I never could truly figure out the real role of the “Naval Officer”
during the 1960s, since he was just a liaison officer between the college and the Navy.
Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi was our naval officer between 1966 and 1969. I understand that
upon his retirement from Pakistan Navy, he continued on as Physics teacher at Petaro
until 1981.
A.W.Siddiqi Sahib was another thorough gentleman. Always smiling, he was an
extremely friendly fatherly figure who we could always look up to for any assistance,
even though he had no real role to play in our daily lives.
Despite an arm’s length relationship, I am very fortunate to have been so close to him.
I will always cherish his memory. May Allah grant him the choicest place in Jannah!
A.W.Siddiqi Sahib’s very simple prayer and wish for me tells a great deal about the
nature of this man.

“Whatever
you do &
where ever
you are may
God Bless you
with success”

Signed
A.W.Siddiqi,
Lt.Cdr.
8th July, 1969

Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi’s own handwriting and signature

Maulvi Mubarak Ali Shah’s Autograph

One man who had an important impact in my tender years was
Maulvi Sahib of our mosque at Petaro. Maulvi Mubarak Ali Shah was
Pathan, and lived in the quarters adjacent to the masjid.
Throughout my four years at Petaro, I was very regular in my
prayers at the mosque. Thus, I would meet Maulvi Sahib 5 times a
day along with my formal five times meetings with Allah.
He was also the leader of the tablighi jamaat activities at Petaro.
Along with Ghazanfar Bhai, Farooq Taj Bhai and Fakhruddin (my
batchmate), I too became closely attached to the tablighi activities.
We would have our weekly gasht in the houses followed by the address by Maulvi Sahib
after Asr prayers.
Maulvi Sahib also used to spend spare time with me to help me read the Qur’an
correctly. We used to have sessions in the mosque.
Maulvi Sahib was a very simple man. And sometimes simplicity doesn’t pay in this
country. The boys used to love playing pranks on Maulvi Sahib as he was an easy
target.
Since Urdu was not his native tongue, he would often make grammatical mistakes.
Gender of verbs was his biggest problem. Thus Allah used to “farmati hai” instead of
“farmata hai”. He also used to take our Islamiyat classes. The naughty boys would
make sure they would distract Maulvi Sahib towards something they would consider
funny and thus we passed our time. We never really learnt anything about Islam. One
of the ways to keep us jolly was to bring lots of tomatoes to class from the farm. When
Maulvi Sahib would turn towards the blackboard, tomatoes would fly on to the ceiling
fan and splash freshly made ketchup on the walls or on the shirt of some cadet. That
would be the end of the class with Maulvi Sahib in a rage. Such is the fate of our faith
and our values.
Maulvi Sahib’s words in his autograph are golden, where he talks of 1) Faith in Allah
(iman), 2) Values and Character (akhlaq), 3) Deeds that are in consonance with Faith
(amal), 4) Not to fear worldly difficulties, and 5) Seeking guidance and help from Allah
alone. Whenever I read this passage, it also brings a smile to my face, remembering
his mix up of genders in expression. This is also enshrined in his autograph.
May Allah grant peace to Maulvi Sahib’s soul, and the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus
“iman kay baad
sab say behtareen
cheez achi akhlaq
hay. Sab say achi
saathi nek amal
hay. Duniya ki
ko’ee mushkil say
ghabrana nahin
chahiye. Har waqt
Khudawand ta’ala
say madad
mangna chahiye.
Faqat wassalam”

Signed Syed Mubarak

Ali Shah
24th July, 1969
Maulvi Mubarak Ali Shah’s own handwriting and signature

Muhammad Abid Saleem’s Autograph (now

commodore)
Although I do have autographs of many of my other batch mates, I
have chosen to include Abid Saleem’s autograph with this collection
solely for the reason that he finally rose up to the rank of Principal
of Cadet College Petaro - more than a generation later. Abid is my
teacher in some ways too (I do learn from every person), but I can
safely say that there have been times when I was his teacher as
well.
I joined Petaro in 1965 in Class 9, and Abid was the House Prefect from our class. Over
the next four years, we became the best of friends, and alhamdu-lillah this relationship
continues to grow stronger.
Coming from a humble background, Abid has built a career for himself solely through
his hard work. He is a man of high principles, and this has been his hallmark
throughout his life as I have witnessed it. After leaving Petaro, he joined the Navy and
rose up through the ranks to eventually become a commodore. This was the feather in
his cap.
During our days at Petaro, Abid was a star. He excelled in sports and became the
College Football Captain. In athletics, no one could beat him at 400m, 800m and
1500m races.
In 11th Class, Abid, Raza Kamal (584), and Khalid Jamil “Luddoo” (509) were my room
mates. We lived in the Latif House portion of “Sheesh Mahal”. That was the hottest
room in the college, acting like a proper greenhouse. Sometimes we wondered if it was
a reward or a punishment to live there. But I guess others used to envy us for having
been given the honour since it was the grandest room, with the best view over the
grassy field.
When we were in 12th Class, Abid was rightly chosen to be the JUO of Latif House. And
Abid, Raza Kamal and I were the room mates, living in the JUO room across from the
Radio Room.
Abid did prove his leadership qualities over the years throughout his career and this
last assignment as the Principal of CCP is the crown in his cap. During these past 7
years, he has proven his mettle. Being the first Petarian to become the Principal, he
has brought an understanding and love into the job which no previous principal could.
During these 7 years, there has been a major change in the college. Not only have
there been several infrastructure development projects like the Squash Court, new
mosque, Drinking Water plant, houses of staff, etc, but his greatest achievement is the
security he brought to the college by getting legal possession over the nearly 750 acres
of land and building a boundary wall around it. This also eliminated many of the
problems that emanated from outside elements and instilled stronger discipline
amongst the cadets.
Abid also ensured that the flow of cadets to the Pakistan armed forces resumed with
full force. During the previous periods, it had almost come down to a trickle.
Thus, when I reflect on Abid’s autograph, I feel that maybe he was examining his own
ambitions in life. After all when you pray for someone who is dear to you, the prayer
does come back to you. And Allah has honoured Abid accordingly.

“bagh-e aalam
main yahi apni
dua hai har subh,

Rahein sar sabz

shajar phoolnay
phalnay walay -
Aatish”

Signed Abid Saleem

14th July, 1969

Abid Saleem’s own handwriting and signature

Indeed, it is our prayers that through our efforts may Allah grant our college and our
nation growth and productivity which will make us into the best. And may Allah keep on
honouring Abid by taking him to even greater heights in this world and the Hereafter!
My parents’ Autographs
Teachers are supposed to be the reflection of one’s parents. Or rather, they are indeed
sitting in the position of our parents as per our tradition. Therefore, I thought it
appropriate to end this article with the autographs of my own parents (may Allah grant
them the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus). I am sure you will all appreciate these
sentiments, and they would probably be not far from those of your own parents.
It is so often that we take parents for granted. Yet parents are truly the greatest gift of
Allah to us. Unassumingly, they are always there for us whenever we want them. And
they will suffer for you without ever making you feel it. They will sacrifice everything
for you without demanding anything from you. They will share in your happiness and
sorrows without revealing their own.
My dear father died in February 1982 (over 25 years ago), and my dear mother died in
June 1993 (over 14 years ago). I cannot express to you how much I miss them at
times.
Whenever I turn to the pages of their autographs, I virtually burst out with emotions.
At first my eyes become wet - and when I read my mother's autograph, I truly weep. I
cannot control myself. I recall every juncture in my life and their contributions towards
my growth and my life - and what they truly mean to me. My autobiography scans
itself before my inner eye as I ponder over their words.
As I read the 2 autographs again and again, I realize that there is a distinctive
difference in my response to my father's and my mother's autographs. Let me explain
what goes through my mind since I am sure that this would be so relevant to each one
you as well.
My dear father was a man of letters, and a great lover of poetry and literature. Besides,
he was a great Muslim nationalist within a Sufi tradition. He had great admiration for
Allama Iqbal and his thought. He would go out of his way to help other people, and his
discourses were worth listening to. At the same time, he had a tremendous awe
inspiring personality. I would normally be speechless before him, and could never say
no to him.

“Piyaray betay
Zulkader ke liye.
Ba-deh oora jawanay
paak baazay,
Saroorash az sharabay
khanah saazay
Qawi baazoo-e-oo
maanind-e-Haydar,
Dil-e-oo az do-geti bay
niyazay (Iqbal)”
Signed Kazi Abdur Rasheed
8th April, 1967

My father (late) Kazi Abdur Rasheed’s own handwriting

When I went through an intellectual crisis in my own life during the 1970s after the fall
of Dhaka and the Ramadan War in Palestine (during my years at MIT), it was my father
alone who provided me the intellectual support and guidance in steering me towards
further civilizational studies and a fulfillment of my academic dreams. For a whole year,
he wrote me letters (there was no email then and telephones were out of reach) to
advise me on how to approach life and how to look towards the future. He was far far
away - thousands of miles away from me while I was in the USA. But his heart and
mind were burning for me. He was my true strength.
This autograph was written in 1967 when I was barely 15 years old and had just sat for
my Matric examination. At that time, the words he wrote had a deep impact on me;
and even more so over the ensuing years. As the years passed by, I would read his
words again and again, and a strange feeling would envelope me. Throughout my
intellectual and spiritual crisis of the 1970s when I was in the USA, I would be
reminded of his words often.
What had he written? As you will note, he wrote down the words which Allama Iqbal
had written for his own son. It is a prayer to Allah - a most apt and beautiful prayer
that a father can desire for his son. Let me summarize it for you.
In these verses, Allama Iqbal prays to Allah to grant his son pristine youth, peace and
tranquility within the strands of a family life, physical strength like that of Haider (Hz.
Ali), and a heart that would go out towards the service of all. (This is a very rough
translation of the Persian verse).
What more can a father ask his Lord for the sake of his son indeed? And I am sure that
every father would desire the same for his son. This prayer depicts the awe and love
that holds the rope between a father and a son.
And then I turn to next page - to read my mother's autograph. I read it - and I read it
again - and again and again. The words are so simple - and yet there could be no
deeper words. In those 6 words - her own words - she probably said a thousand times
more than what my father had written in the most eloquent intellectual form.

“piyaray betay
Zulkader.

Allah ta’ala tumhein

baraa aadmi bana’ay”

Signed “tumhari ammi

Muneerunnisa Begum”
My mother (late) Muneerunnisa Begum’s own handwriting 8th April, 1967

Just ponder over it. "Allah ta`ala tumhen bara aadmi bana'e". She had expressed
everything she had for me. All her pains and all her love for me had translated
themselves into just that desire to see my success. And that was truly her success. I
put my head down on my arms and cried again, wishing that she would be with me to
see my success, and ignore my failures.
As I write this, her face appears before me. She was the loveliest of personalities that I
have ever come across. She was simple, always smiling and laughing, cheerful,
optimistic, and a pleasure to be with. She was so unassuming that you would wonder
at times as to what is it that she desired. And I knew it. She had sacrificed her entire
life just for me and my brothers and sisters. I could share so many things with her,
burst out at her with exasperation at someone else, ask her for anything - and yet she
was always there for me. And all she desired was my success. She fretted for me right
up to her grave. And Allah gave her the best for the Hereafter.
She died in a car accident coming from Madinah Munawwarah, and was buried in the
Jannatul Baqi in Madinah, just as her own mother was. If a human could be an angel, it
was her.
As I write this, tears flow down my cheeks. I truly miss her. And I will always miss her.
Well friends, I wanted to share this with you because I know that my mother and my
father are probably not unique. What my parents expressed for me is what your
parents would probably also desire for you, and what you will probably desire for your
own children. These could very well be the words of your parents for you. Parenthood is
indeed a blessing of Allah.
Is it a wonder then that the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) has said
that Jannat is beneath the feet of your mother. And that amongst the most important
personality in your life is your mother - thrice over - and then your father.
May Allah grant our parents the best in this life (for those who are alive), and the best
place in Jannatul Firdaus for those who have passed away.
With Love,
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Copyrights to this article and the book "Petaro and Petarians Over 50 Years are
reserved with www.petaro.org and the Petarian Foundation. The e-version is
available for free distribution. However, permission is required from the Petarian
Foundation to republish the work in any format.