Azam Khan, is a name with deep family sentimental attachment, with my own forefathers carrying the name in 18th , 19th , 20th century and even in the 21st century my my youngest and dearest son carry the legacy knowing names have nothing to do with deeds that matter most.
With this my thoughts stray towards a public servant Azam Khan, who hails from the historic Mardan area where my cousins Mir Afzal Khan’s once dominated the politics. With Azam Khan, I interacted officially from the Dawn’s platform when he was holding dual charge both as Commissioner Peshawar and MD Sarhard Tourism Corporation and found him someone to whom the state interests mattered that made him stood out amongst his counter- parts.. His loyalty as a friend I judged when I found him in Swat to offer condolence over the death of my school fellow late Malik Qasim Khan, as their friendship went back to the time when Azam was under training Assistant Commissioner posted at Swat.
Azam though not personally too close to me yet I found him more comfortable in the the company of our common friend the wise but humble Ismail Khan, a remarkable journalist from the North Western Pakistan with good command on the geo – political situation. It was Ismail Khan sincere advice that brought Azam into the establishment spotlight that made him serve the country in difficult times when the Army went head on against the militants and lacked good officers in the field. He acted as Political Agent Khyber Agency when the brave and bold Gen. Tariq Khan as Inspector General Frontier Corps, was trying to flush them out from their strong hold of the Afridi Heartland enjoying historical past of bloody conflicts that even the British found impossible to control. This historic sketch I dedicate to him in which the brave freedom fighter Sher Ali Afridi, as a prisoner at the Andaman Island is shown stabbing Lord Mayo, on the eve of 8th February 1872, as the then Viceroy Of India, to death .
Later Azam was catapulted as Principal Secretary to the then Prime Minister Imran Khan who unfortunately always lacked good advice and people. As his Principal Secretary he discharged his duties diligently wining himself more foes than either money or friends.
Sadly, Azam Khan today is reported to be missing believed arrested and in the process to be grilled for serving the state and its interests that is the job of every public servant of every cadre of the civil service structure. The man being apolitical had nothing to do with either politics, politicians or policies of any political party and yet he is reportedly arrested because that he is on the wrong side of the state for all the wrong reasons.
I believe the state must review its own policies and priorities of not chopping off their civil service arms that always plays pivotal role in running the day – to – day affairs of the state as nothing is more demotivating and demoralising for any public servant to see sad end of their long journey of public service because that they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Long Live Pakistan Run Through Short Lived Policies 🇵🇰
