It was always a delight to see little Bilal’s eyes light up when I visited Tariq Mehmood’s home. The moment I walked in, he’d run up, brimming with excitement, demanding yet another one of my “jungle stories.” And I never disappointed.
I’d weave tales of bravery, spinning vivid accounts of grappling with mighty lions in the wild. I’d tell him how the jungle’s deafening roars didn’t shake me, how I outsmarted the king of beasts and emerged victorious. Bilal would sit there, wide-eyed, marveling at the courage it took to face such danger. To him, I was a hero who triumphed over untamed wilderness, a figure of fearless adventure.
But little did Bilal know that his father, Tariq Mehmood, and I had faced even greater dangers—not in the wild, but in the streets of Karachi. Together, we battled a different kind of beast: crime and the hardened criminals who roamed the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods.
I’m sure Tariq still remembers the day I managed to apprehend a highly dangerous criminal from Lyari—a notorious hotbed of crime and violence. This wasn’t just any criminal; he was a mastermind responsible for a series of kidnappings that targeted the children of wealthy businessmen. His actions had driven fear into the hearts of families and triggered capital flight from the country, threatening the economic stability of our country – Karachi being the ایوی jugular vein of the country.
The mission was no less perilous than grappling with a lion. Supported by two brave NCOs from the Zarrar Company of the 2nd Commando Battalion, we ventured into the heart of Lyari’s labyrinthine streets, where danger lurked at every corner. The tension was palpable, but there was no room for hesitation. Every step we took was a calculated risk, and every move had to be precise.
In the end, we succeeded. The criminal was captured, and a sense of justice was restored. That operation wasn’t just a victory for us—it was a moment of pride for our entire team. And for me, it was more than that; it was a moment of spiritual reflection. As a reward, I was granted the opportunity to perform Umrah with the army contingent, an experience that brought me closer to my Creator and reminded me of the purpose behind all my actions.
Years have passed since those days, and life has taken Tariq Mehmood to new horizons. This photo here, taken at the Pakistan High Commission in Canada, is a testament to his enduring spirit of service. Today, Tariq and his team work tirelessly to promote bilateral trade between Pakistan and Canada, contributing positively to society even in distant lands.
It’s people like Tariq who embody the true spirit of commitment and resilience. Whether it’s combating crime on the streets of Karachi or building bridges between nations, he continues to make a difference wherever he goes.
Today Bilal is a grown up young man with adorable twins , I hope he’ll understand the true essence of the stories I told him. While they were wrapped in the fantastical imagery of jungles and lions, their core was about courage, resilience, and the willingness to confront challenges head-on. And I hope he’ll see his father, Tariq Mehmood, as the real hero—a man who, like me, faced danger to protect others and continues to contribute meaningfully to society.
As I look back on those adventures, both real and imagined, I’m filled with gratitude—for the comradeship I shared with Tariq, for the opportunities to serve my country, and for the chance to inspire young minds like Bilal’s. Here’s to more stories, more courage, and more contributions to the world around us. As I whistle and pedal around on my bicycle ” Dilpasand” ( favourite) reflecting on my past so much I wish and pray peace returns to this beautiful country and world where all the people living here can live happily in peace. .