Agha Ji - reliving the memories

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

A personality - which lies within me,

Who goes beyond where all human beings give in,

Determination, dignity, devotion, dedication,

The personality I adore,

My ultimate guide, always by my side,

I am but his teachings,

I am the result of his preaching,

And what I can say is,

Agha Ji thank you, Agha Ji I love you.

(Wahaj Aman)

It has been more than two decades since we lost him but the wound are still raw and it hurts the same way. The world has move twenty two years ahead but we are still dressing our old discharging wounds. Over this period springs ushered multiple eras of multicolored flowers and greenery and autumns felt no hesitation in destroying and rendering it a part of history. The Sun and moon continued their journey - blessing the world with light and darkness, hope and despair, and joys and sorrows. But in our sojourn, through this ephemeral abode, there has been little that could reduce the ache in the heart and vacuum in our lives. The life just does not seem the same!  

"You don't recognize me but you are very close to my heart!" uttered an octogenarian patient, only a fortnight ago. I looked at him again to find some signs of recognition but all in vain! He was amused and added, "May be you have never seen me before but I was a very close friend of your father!" Even after two decades of his passing away I owe my identity to being his son and I feel very proud of it. "We grew up together and he was like a brother to me - very few can boast of his impeccable honesty, extraordinary bravery, unlimited humility and infinite dedication to duty. He was a role model for the younger generation of Police officers and sportsmen," he added emphasizing on every word.

"Your dad was the only officer of DIG rank who took the trouble of coming to my modest village on my marriage when I was a young ASP," shared the now deceased DIG Zameer Alam. "I worked with him as a young officer and the clarity of his thought process, hard work put in planning and belief in Allah Subhanu Taala really impressed me," he revealed. "Whenever I was in trouble I would call him and his advice would be most helpful"

It was on March 21, 2010 that Ameer Haider Hoti, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtumkhwa and Syed Aqil Shah, Minister Sports unveiled the plaque "Lala Aman International Boxing complex" in Qayyum Stadium. Eulogizing Agha Ji's services, Syed Aqil Shah informed the audience, "Amanullah Khan was an international sportsman, he captained the first football team that ventured outside Pakistan." He failed to add that the manager of that team was none else but his own father Syed Lala Ayub - a legend of sports. "Agha Ji played a pivotal role to promote sports at school level and developed sport grounds all over the province. As Director Sports he sowed the seeds, the fruits of which we are reaping now! He was involved at organizational level in most sports but more prominently in Football, wrestling, boxing, table tennis and badminton," added Syed Aqil Shah.  The Chief Minister in his brief address highlighted, "The nation recognizes the hard work and sincere efforts of Lala Aman even after twenty years of his passing away. Honest and sincere efforts never go waste and national heroes are always held in high esteem!"

"My daughter is getting married and my son needs a job and you have to organise both," it was more of a command than a request from Agha Ji's not so well off cousin. "As long as Agha Ji was alive we had his whole hearted support and now you have to take over his role," he added more of a right than a privilege. Agha Ji had taken upon himself to look after the family and he would go out of his way to accommodate them and look after them. His doors remained opened for poor neighbors and relatives. "In spite of being very busy, he made sure to participate in all family functions: he helped me organizing my daughter's marriage and was the first one to come and the last to leave," he added with tears rolling in his eyes.

Aghaji had the honour of being first in many things. He had a distinguished academic career; he topped middle, secondary school and high school board examinations. He was the first police officer in Pakistan to be honoured with the highest award for gallantry - Quaid-e-Azam police medal. My grandfather was decorated with King's Police Medal, the highest for gallantry in 1938. This distinguishes Aghaji as the first officer where both son and father were recipients of the highest police awards. Aghaji captained the football team that left the shores of Pakistan in 1948. His "hero football club" earned great respect for Pakistan by their excellent performance in Iran. Being in charge of security at the president's house was a tough job; two DSPs succumbed to its pressure within six months prior to its posting. He was the officer to stay in that job for six years. King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan decorated Aghaji with a medal- 'High order of royal Jordan' - this distinguished him as the first police officer with such a distinction. The job of best of intelligence bureau of Peshawar was most demanding in view of evolving changes at national and international levels in the late seventies. He was the first person to hold that office continuously for 12 years. He worked as honorary Director of Sports and tourism, Secretary of old boys union of Edwards College, patron of various sports associations besides heading intelligence bureau of Peshawar - very few people can boast on this record.

Firm in faith and strong in mind, he was the one whom everyone could count on and he counted on One- Allah Subhanu Talah! He was such a God fearing and thankful man that come what may, he had one phrase pasted on his mouth and inscribed in his heart "Allah Ka Shukar". His staunch belief and his peaceful ways made us indulge in prayers to see if we too could get the same satisfaction he possessed.

An amalgam of elegance and grace - a handsome figure combined with eloquence in speech. And added to that tons of honesty and loads of humility mixed with exceptional manners and you get my Agha ji. Agha Ji, even after twenty two years, we miss you at every step but can feel your presence and you remain a guiding force in our lives.