Ikram Sehgal

Ikram Sehgal completed Senior Cambridge and FSc from Lawrence College, Ghoragali. He attended Murari Chand (MC) College, Sylhet and Notre Dame College, Dhaka before graduating from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul. 

Commissioned into 2E Bengal (Junior Tigers) in Oct 1965, the infantry unit his father raised in 1949, he served in Army Aviation (fixed wing and Helicopter Pilot) from 1968 to 1971. Taken PW in April 1971, in then East Pakistan, he was the first Pakistani PW to escape from India in July 1971. Joining 44 Punjab (now 4 Sindh) in Nov 1971, he was given battlefield promotion to the rank of Major on Dec 13, 1971, leaving the Army on Jan 24, 1974. 

He worked as a commercial pilot before starting his own business in 1977. A regular columnist in the print media since 1987, he graduated to his own TV Talk Show. Member of international organizations like the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF), International Organization for Migration (IOM), etc. Ikram Sehgal is presently Chairman Pathfinder G4S, Pakistan.

Major General Athar Abbas

Major General Athar Abbas is a two-star general and the current military spokesperson for the Pakistan Defence Forces who replaced Major General Waheed Arshad as the new Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) on January 14, 2008.

General Abbas was commissioned in October 1976 in the 54th PMA Long Course from the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul into the Armoured Corps. He has held various command, staff and instructional appointments that include command of an armoured regiment, armoured brigade and armoured division. He has been General Staff Officer (Operations) in various armoured formations. He is a graduate of Command and Staff College, Quetta and Armed Forces Staff College, Malaysia.

He is a participant of the Executive Course at Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii, USA. He has attended Armed Forces War Course and National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Islamabad. He has been on the faculty of Command and Staff College, Quetta and National Defence College, Islamabad. He holds a Masters Degrees in War Studies as well as Strategic Studies from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. He was promoted to Major General in June 2005 and has commanded an armoured division in Kharian from June 2005 to June 2007

Before joining Inter Services Public Relations Directorate, General Abbas was serving as Director General Quartering and Lands in Quartermaster General’s Branch, General Headquarters. After he was appointed as the DG ISPR, Major General Mohammad Farooq replaced him at his previous position.

Three of General Abbas's brothers are associated with journalism and the media, working with leading media organisations.His brothers are Mazhar Abbas (works for ARY and headed the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists for several years), Azhar Abbas (Geo Managing Director), Zaffar Abbas (Editor of Dawn). (Source: Wikipedia)

Sardar Tariq Azizuddin

Sardar Tariq Azizuddin comes from a Peshawar Sadozai family known as the Peshawar Sardars, who have historical blood links with the former Afghan King Shah Shuja and the founder of modern day Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Abdali. His late father and the other members of the family have a history of military service in various Regiments of the Pakistan Army. He was born in Peshawar on 31 May 1951, where he spent his early life and education. He graduated in Political Science and History from the University of Peshawar.

He joined the Pakistan Army in 1969 as an Officer Cadet and was commissioned in a Cavalry Regiment, Probyn’s Horse in 1971. He saw action in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. He rose to the rank of Captain. He transferred from the army to the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1975.

In the Foreign Service, he served in various Pakistan Diplomatic Missions. He was Vice Consul in Manchester, UK (1979-83), First Secretary in Cairo, Egypt (1986-89), Counsellor & Deputy High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1989-92), Counsellor & Charge’ d’Affaires in Kabul, Afghanistan (1992-94), Consul General in Los Angeles, USA (1997-2001), Ambassador of Pakistan Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina (2001-2004), Ambassador of Pakistan in Kabul, Afghanistan (2005-2008). He is currently Ambassador of Pakistan in Ankara, Turkey since January 2009. In between the foreign assignments, he served on different positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, Pakistan, as Section Officer, Director, Director General and Chief of Protocol.

He was decorated with Sitara-i-Shujaat (Star of Valor) for his service in Afghanistan in 1992-94.

He is married to Naila, daughter of Sardar Abdul Wahab Khan, who was the son of Amir Mohammad Yaqub Khan, Ruler of Afghanistan 1878-81. He has a daughter Saira and two sons Ali and Assad.

He enjoys hunting (ducks&partridge) and gardening.

Havaldaar Lalak Jan Shaheed

Hav. Lalak Jan of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) was one of those many who as a junior leader fought from the forefront to thwart heavy Indian attacks. He volunteered himself to be deployed on the front positions located at the jagged peak in May 1999.

Hav. Lalak driven back many aggressive ventures by the enemy and imposed colossal losses on them. On July 7, Hav. Lalak sustained serious injuries as enemies pounded the area with heavy mortar shelling.

But despite being injured, he retained his position and frustrated the Indian assault. He, however, succumbed to his injuries at the same post he was defending. Hav.

Lalak was awarded with the Nishan-i-Haider for his dauntless courage and devotion.

Captain "Karnal" Sher Khan

Captain "Karnal (meaning a Colonel)" Sher Khan was commissioned in Pakistan Army in 1990 and later joined the Northern Light Infantry somewhere in 1998. Right from his childhood, he displayed feats of courage and was nicknamed "Kernal" by hisa fellows, which ultimately became a part of his name. Captain Karnal Sher Khan rose to the heights of glory when he emerged as the symbol of mettle and courage during the Kargil conflict on the Line of Control. He set personal examples of bravery and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. He defended the five strategic posts, which he established with his jawans at the height of some 17,000 feet at Gultari, and repulsed many Indian attacks. After many abortive attempts, on July 5 1998, enemy's two battalion ringed the post of Kernal Sher Khan with the help and unleashed heavy mortar firing and managed to capture some part of the post. Despite facing all odds, he lead a counter-attack and re- captured the lost parts. But during the course he was hit by the machine-gun fire and embraced Shahadat at the same post. For his courage and bravery, he was awarded with Nishan-e-Haider.

Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfooz Shaheed

Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfooz was born in 1944 at Pind Malikan (District of Rawalpindi) and was enlisted in the 15th Punjab Regiment as a sepoy in 1962. In 971 Indo Pak war, he was serving in the 'A' Company and his unit was deployed on the Wagah-Attari Sector near Lahore. The enemy advancing elements pinned down his company positions by unceasing frontal and cross fire from automatic weapons. In the process, his machine gun was destroyed by an enemy shell, but it did not dishearten the spirited Lance Naik, who advanced bare handed towards an enemy bunker whose automatic fire had inflicted heavy casualties. Even though wounded in both legs by shell splinters, when he reached the bunker he stood up and pounced on the enemy, but was hit. Although unarmed and amidst the enemy, he got hold of one of the enemy and was strangling him when another bayoneted him to death during the night of 17th December 1971. Living true to the traditions of the Punjab Regiment, whose three officers had already won Nishan-e-Haider, Lance Naik Muhammad Mahfooz also showed no less courage and gallantry in winning the fourth medal for the Punjab Regiment. Pin Malikan has now been renamed as Mahfoozabad.

Sawar Muhammad Hussain

Sawar (the basic rank in the Armoured Corps equivalent to a sepoy) Muhammad Hussain was born in 1949 in Dhok Pir Bakhsh and joined the 20 th Lancers (Armoured Corps) as a driver in 1966. Sowar Hussain was always eager to perform jobs that were not normally meant for drivers and was always in fore fronts to help the others. During the 1971 war, he spotted the enemy digging along a minefield near the village of Harar Khurd. Daring as he was, he on his own initiative called and directed accurate fire at the enemy resulting in the destruction of sixteen of their tanks. However, strange are the ways for the gallant and brave men chosen for them by the Almighty. While he was still directing fire from a recoilless rifles, he was hit in the chest by a burst of machine gun fire and embraced shahadat on 10th December 1971. While he was awarded with the Nishan-e-Haider for his courage and bravery, his village elders as a tribute to his bravery renamed their village as Dhok Muhammad Hussain Janjua.

Major Shabir Sharif Shaheed

Major Shabir Sharif was born in 1943 in village Kunjah (Gujrat) and was commissioned in 1964 in the Frontier Force Regiment. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Major Shabir Sharif was awarded with Sitara-e-Jurrat (the third highest gallantry military award) for his courage and bravery. In 971, Major Shabir's 6 FF Regiment, was ordered in December 1971 to capture high ground near Sulemanki Headwork defended by more than a company of the Indian Assam Regiment supported by a squadron of tanks. Major Shabir and his men after crossing a minefield and massive obstacles and killing forty three soldiers and destroying four tanks, Major Sharif and his men held two enemy battalions at bay for days. However, on 6 december, the Indians mounted a fierce attack supported by tanks. Assessing the situation to be critical and not taking any chances with the enemy, Major Shabir himself took over an anti-tank gun from his gunner and fired on the enemy tanks. While doing so, the enemy tank fired its main gun on Major Shabir's location, killing him in the afternoon of 6th December. Brave as he always was, he proved his mettle once again and was awarded with the coveted Nishan-e-Haider.

Major Muhammad Akram

Major Akram was born in 1938 in village Dingha (Gujrat) and was commissioned in the Frontier Force Regiment in 1963. During 1971 Indo - Pak war, Major Akram was commanding a rifle company of the 4th FF Regiment in the forward localities of the Hilli district. The position held by Major Akram and his company was very vital and had blocked enemy's route of advance. Therefore it came under continuous and heavy air, artillery and tank attacks. But for almost two weeks, despite enemy superiority in both numbers and fire power, Major Akram and his men remained entrenched and repulsed every attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The Indians many a time asked him to surrender but Major Akram refused. Finally, overpowered and fatigued, Major Akram embraced shahadat fighting at close quarter battle in the famous "Battle of Hilli" and was awarded with the fifth Nishan-e-Hiader.

Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed

Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas was born on 17th February 1951 and during 1971, he was under training in the Pakistan Air Force. In August 1971, when the Indians had put lot of pressure in the eastern wing, Rashid Minhas was busy in his routine training at PAF Base Masroor. On that fateful day of 20 August 1971, while he was taxiing his aircraft towards to runway, a Bengali dissident Instructor Pilot (IP) forced his way into the rear cockpit of the two-seat jet trainer and in the process hurt Rashid Minhas. The IP seized control of the aircraft and headed toward India. When Minhas regained consciousness, he realized that the absconding pilot was heading towards India, so he tried to regain control of the plane. But being injured, he was not able to take power on the controls, so he forced the aircraft to crash some thirty two miles short of the border. By losaing his own life, he not only saved the aircraft from getting in to the hands of the Indians, but also jeopardized the malafide intentions of his IP. He became the first PAF officer to receive Nishan-e-Haider.

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti

Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was born in 1928 in Hong Kong and joined the 1st PMA Long Course and was commissioned in 1950 in the Punjab Regiment. He was a very well read officer, having passed out with the coveted Sword of Honour and knew many foreign languages. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, he was commanding a company in general area Burki of the Lahore Sector. Major Bhatti's defences on the famous BRB (Banmban Wali Ravian Bedian) Link Canal was subjected to heavy Indian repeated attacks coupled with incessant artillery and tank fire for five days and nights. But Major Bhatti and his men stood like a rock. In order to have a clear view of the assaulting enemy, Major Bhatti would often come out of his bunker and stand clear of the canal bank. On 10 September 1965, while he was directing the artillery fire, he was hit by an enemy tank shell. Major Bhatti embraced shahadat and was awarded with the third and the only Nishan-e-Hiader of 1965 war.

Major Tufail Muhammad

Major Tufail Muhammad was born in 1914 and was commissioned in the 16th Punjab Regiment in 1943. Upon creation of Pakistan, he joined Pakistan Army. During 1958, with border skirmishes with India in the erstwhile East Pakistan, Major Tufail Muhammad was commanding a company of the East Pakistan Rifles near the town of Lakshmipur. The company encircled an illegal Indian post, which was erected by the Indians in violation of the internationally recognized boundary between the two countries. During the enemy action, Major Tufail was mortally wounded, but did not stop fighting even at close quarters. In the hand-to-hand encounter that followed, Major Tufail continued to lead his troops till the Indians were driven out, leaving four dead and three prisoners. However, Major Tufail himself succumbed to his wounds and embraced shahadat on the 7th August 1958. He was awarded with the second Nishan-e-Haider for his gallantry.

Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed

Captain Muhammad Sarwar was born in village Singhori (Rawalpindi) in 1910, and joined the British Army (infantry -Punjab Regiment) in 1944. Upon creation of Pakistan he joined Pakistan Army. In July 1948 with war in Kashmir with India, Captain Sarwar launched an attack causing heavy casualties against a strongly fortified enemy position in the Uri Sector under heavy machine gun, grenade and mortar fire. On 27th July 1948, he volunteered to cut the enemy's barbed wire barrier to pave way for the move forward of his follow up comrades. However, while doing so he received a direct burst of enemy's heavy machine gun fire, and embraced shahadat at the spot. For his courage, selflessness and bravery, he was awarded with the first Nishan-e-Haider. Call it a coincidence, that the recipients of next two Nishan-e-Haiders were also from the Punjab Regiment.

Tauqir Zia

Lt. Gen (R) Tauqir Zia completed his out standing meritorious military service on 14 September 2003. In his brilliant military career, spanning over almost four decades, he has had the honor and privilege to hold the most coveted appointments in command, staff and instruction field, excelling at every level-from a Troop Leader in 19th Lancers to Commander of Army Field Headquarters during the crisis with India in 2001-2002.

As the chairman Pakistan Cricket Board for 4 years, he not only introduced the "Vision 2005", paragon for the promotion and development of Cricket in Pakistan but also managed to implement almost 75% of that Project in every part of the country particularly in the far flung areas of Balochistan, Sind and Frontier.

Hamid Gul

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Hamid Gul son of Muhammad Khan was born on 20th November 1936 in the suburbs of Sargodha. Before his birth, his forefathers had shifted from Lahore to Sargodha.

Earlier Education

Hamid Gul got his early education from his village school and did his matriculation with flying colors. Briefly got admission in Government College Lahore, before reporting to PMA, Kakul in 18th Long Course.

Army Career

Hamid Gul was commissioned in the Pakistan Army in 1958 in the Armored Corps (19 Lancers). He was a Tank Commander at the Chiwanda front during the 1965 war with India.

During 1972-1976, Gul directly served under General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq as a battalion commander, when General Zia was GOC, 1st Armored Division and Commander, II Corps at Multan. Gul was promoted to Brigadier in 1978 and steadily rose to be the Commander of the 1st Armored Division, Multan in 1980. Gul was then sent to GHQ as the DG Military Intelligence (DGMI) under General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq who then nominated him to be the ISI chief succeeding General Akhtar Abdur Rahman in March 1987. He was later replaced as the ISI commander by PM Benazir Bhutto in May 1989 and Gul was transferred as the Commander, II Corps in Multan. In this capacity, General Gul conducted the Zarb-e-Momin military exercise in November-December 1989, the biggest Pakistani Armed Forces show of muscle since 1971 Indo-Pakistani War and till now.

General Asif Nawaz upon taking the reins of Pakistan Army in August 1991, had Gul transferred as the DG Heavy Industries Taxila. Gul refused to take the assignment on the account that it wasn’t in line with his military training. He developed differences with the then Army Chief and was retired from the army in 1992.

During his meritorious service with Pakistan Army between 1958 to 1992 he got three awards, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Basalat, Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military).

Pervez Musharraf

Former President Pervez Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943 in Neher Wali Haveli (which means "House Next to the Canal"), in Delhi, British India, and stems from an educated, middle class family of government servants.

After independence of Pakistan in 1947, Musharraf's family migrated to Pakistan where his father, Syed Musharraf Uddin — a graduate of Aligarh University — joined the Pakistan Foreign Office. His mother, Zarin, who holds a master's degree from the University of Lucknow has been a working professional.

President Musharraf spent his formative years in Turkey and is a fluent speaker of Turkish.

He attended St Patrick's School, Karachi (a Catholic school), graduating in 1959, later attending Forman Christian College (a Protestant school) in Lahore.

In 1961, he volunteered for the Pakistan Army and entered the Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul. He was commissioned on April 19, 1964 in the Artillery Regiment. He joined the Special Services Group where he served for 7 years. A graduate and instructor of the Command and Staff College, Quetta, and the National Defence College, Rawalpindi, President Musharraf is also a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies of the United Kingdom.

He fought two wars against India in1965 and 1971. While President Musharraf is a man of war, he strongly believes in peace in the region and rapprochement with India. While in government, he made strides to foster permanent peace in South East Asia and came close to solving all outstanding issues including Kashmir.

President Musharraf came into power in 1999 and occupied what TIME magazine described as “the most dangerous job in the world” playing a crucial role in fighting the global war on terrorism. The role that he played with incredible courage surviving more than a few assassination attempts; and he still remains a target of those that want to see the world divided as “West and The Rest”.

In the course of his seven years at the helm, President Musharraf empowered the people of Pakistan at the grass roots level through the introduction of a local government system; the women as well as minorities of Pakistan were given reserved seats at every tier of the Parliament; the Freedom of expression was unlocked by opening up the media and allowing multiple private TV channels to operate for the first time in the history of Pakistan, and the electronic and print media began operating independent of the government.

Perhaps his government's biggest achievement was the turnaround of the economy. From an almost bankrupt state in 1999, his government's vision and policies helped Pakistan come out of the list of Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) while setting it on path of prosperity, growth and economic reforms. It joined the ranks of the N-11 countries, the fastest growing economies after the BRIC countries.

On the world stage, the President has taken a lead on many geo-political and strategic issues. He strongly believes in "Enlightened Moderation", his vision for the Muslim world to shun militancy and extremism and adopt the path of socioeconomic uplift while the West, and the United States in particular, should seek to resolve all political disputes with justice and to aid in the socioeconomic betterment of the deprived Muslim world.

President Musharraf has a vision for Pakistan, and believes that it is a nation that has all the resources, the potential and all the human capability to be transformed into a progressive, moderate, and prosperous Islamic State.

Pakistan First.