Anything that is pure makes a difference, whether it’s food, blood, or feelings. The rot we see in our Pakistani society today is a result of giving least regard to the purity of anything that led them astray.
It was by sheer coincidence that I discovered Azam Noon has been elected as the honorary President of the Lahore Polo Club, indeed a great honor for the Noon family, who have been in the game for generations in Punjab. I extend my best wishes to him and his family.
The Noons are like family to us, coming from the pure-blooded warrior Rajput stock of Punjab that the British always respected, just like our family, the Barakzai, who, despite being adversaries on the battlefield, respected each other for their respective qualities that made them stand out in each other’s eyes.
In the picture, my uncle Brigadier Hissam Effendi of the 11th Cavalry, a polo enthusiast, can be seen on the extreme left, casually standing with his legs wide open and hands occupied, with little regard for the official picture that was to be part of history, in which the Queen of England and Prince Philip were photographed. When this photograph was taken, I am sure Hissam rightfully thought that he was no less than anyone else, at least in terms of the quality of being a pureblood of the Pukhtuns (Afghans) and the grandson of the victor of the epic battle of Maiwand in 1880, which left only a British mongrel dog called Bobby as its survivor.
Uncle Hissam Effendi fearlessly and fiercely defended Pakistan in 1965, commanding the Armored Division at the Chawinda sector, the prime target of the Indian tank thrust, despite being a Brigadier when it was a job for a General. Pakistan was taken by absolute surprise on 6th September 1965, due to intelligence failure, much like Israel today was taken by Hamas due to Israeli intelligence failure, despite claiming to be the very best. But in difficult times, blood ultimately matters, and it was proven on the battlefield at Chawinda in the 1965 War.
It pains me when we bury our heroes without recognizing their contributions, especially when I see Malik Feroz Khan Noon’s contribution in winning Gwadar for Pakistan or Brigadier Hissam el Effendi’s valor in defending his beloved homeland Pakistan, which he chose after partition. The least Pakistan could have done is to name the Gwadar Airport after Feroz Khan Noon and for the Pakistan Army not to have renamed the El Effendi Polo Tournament as the Quaid-i-Azam Polo Tournament.
Long Live Pakistan, and may the impurities resulting in dishonesty in every sphere of society be rectified. 🇵🇰🇵🇰