MM Alam remembered in golden words
March 19, 2013
LAHORE
In addition to being the pioneer of aerial dog-fight in the Asian region, the late Mohammad Mahmood Alam was an incorruptible man of principles, who didn’t even fear criticizing Gen Zia-ul-Haq in his face.
Recollecting the memories about the time they spent together in 16th GDP Batch of 1952, M.M. Alam’s batch-mates Squadron Leader (retd) Hameed Anwar and Wing Commander (retd) Mohammad Saeed Khan said that when Gen Zia-ul-Haq appointed a particular PAF Officer to the highest post, M.M Alam in a meeting told him bluntly that he had made the wrong choice by picking a corrupt person. Gen Zia replied by saying: “Loyalty must not go unrewarded.” To this, M.M Alam replied: “Loyalty to whom? The country or you?.
Talking about his nature that was strictly defined by principles, they said that he didn’t draw his pension from the PAF for two whole years after his retirement because he had principle difference with the PAF at that time and thus didn’t deem it moral to use their money. Later when he started drawing his pension, he used to spend it all to help and aid the poor, needy and white-collared Pakistani’s, and that too without flaunting his philanthropy.
Squadron Leader (retd) Hameed Anwar said that the legendary fighter pilot used to eat sleep drink aerial combat and it was as if he never left the cockpit even when he was in his room. Despite being the best, M.M Alam had an undying urge to get better all the time, he added. “As an individual, he despised corruption in all its manifestations and forms and was of the view that it is the root of all problems in Pakistan”, said Anwar.
The legacy of unmatched aerial dogfight was the foundation stone of the high standards that Pakistan Air Force has always had as he became an inspiration and a milestone which all the fighter pilots wanted to achieve.
Wing Commander (retd) Mohammad Saeed Khan, while sharing an interesting incident of their service, said that he was practicing low flight over sea when he manages to fly so low that his propeller hit grazed the sea and was deformated to a degree yet he managed to safely bring the fighter back. On inquiry by the then in-charge, he said that the aircraft suffered a bird hit. The situation became interesting when seaweeds were found stuck in the propeller and everybody was amazed at his skill.
Khan said that, unlike those who know little about religion and are bent on imposing their half-baked concept over others, M.M Alam had extensive knowledge regarding Islam which he gained through far-reaching reading, yet he strictly believed against religious extremism and imposition of self-righteous religious concepts.
Both of his batch-mates were of the view that he was deeply concerned about the direction the country was heading to and the national economic woes; however, he never expressed interest in being a part of politics. Yet, both Squadron Leader (retd) Hameed Anwar and Wing Commander (retd) Mohammad Saeed Khan believed that if an incorruptible, principle-driven and someone devoted to purpose like him had led the country, Pakistan would have been among the leading states of the world.
Despite being a national hero, a living legend and among the most respected pilots of the Pakistan Air Force, M.M Alam was a down-to-earth and humble individual who did not harbor any giant ego, they said. He always promptly responded whenever the country and its forces needed his services and advice even post retirement, they added.
They believed that, despite his departure from this world, his legend would live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and his amazing accomplishments as a legendary fighter pilot, an upright yet humble person, a devout Muslim and a wonderful human being.
In addition to being the pioneer of aerial dog-fight in the Asian region, the late Mohammad Mahmood Alam was an incorruptible man of principles, who didn’t even fear criticizing Gen Zia-ul-Haq in his face.
Recollecting the memories about the time they spent together in 16th GDP Batch of 1952, M.M. Alam’s batch-mates Squadron Leader (retd) Hameed Anwar and Wing Commander (retd) Mohammad Saeed Khan said that when Gen Zia-ul-Haq appointed a particular PAF Officer to the highest post, M.M Alam in a meeting told him bluntly that he had made the wrong choice by picking a corrupt person. Gen Zia replied by saying: “Loyalty must not go unrewarded.” To this, M.M Alam replied: “Loyalty to whom? The country or you?.
Talking about his nature that was strictly defined by principles, they said that he didn’t draw his pension from the PAF for two whole years after his retirement because he had principle difference with the PAF at that time and thus didn’t deem it moral to use their money. Later when he started drawing his pension, he used to spend it all to help and aid the poor, needy and white-collared Pakistani’s, and that too without flaunting his philanthropy.
Squadron Leader (retd) Hameed Anwar said that the legendary fighter pilot used to eat sleep drink aerial combat and it was as if he never left the cockpit even when he was in his room. Despite being the best, M.M Alam had an undying urge to get better all the time, he added. “As an individual, he despised corruption in all its manifestations and forms and was of the view that it is the root of all problems in Pakistan”, said Anwar.
The legacy of unmatched aerial dogfight was the foundation stone of the high standards that Pakistan Air Force has always had as he became an inspiration and a milestone which all the fighter pilots wanted to achieve.
Wing Commander (retd) Mohammad Saeed Khan, while sharing an interesting incident of their service, said that he was practicing low flight over sea when he manages to fly so low that his propeller hit grazed the sea and was deformated to a degree yet he managed to safely bring the fighter back. On inquiry by the then in-charge, he said that the aircraft suffered a bird hit. The situation became interesting when seaweeds were found stuck in the propeller and everybody was amazed at his skill.
Khan said that, unlike those who know little about religion and are bent on imposing their half-baked concept over others, M.M Alam had extensive knowledge regarding Islam which he gained through far-reaching reading, yet he strictly believed against religious extremism and imposition of self-righteous religious concepts.
Both of his batch-mates were of the view that he was deeply concerned about the direction the country was heading to and the national economic woes; however, he never expressed interest in being a part of politics. Yet, both Squadron Leader (retd) Hameed Anwar and Wing Commander (retd) Mohammad Saeed Khan believed that if an incorruptible, principle-driven and someone devoted to purpose like him had led the country, Pakistan would have been among the leading states of the world.
Despite being a national hero, a living legend and among the most respected pilots of the Pakistan Air Force, M.M Alam was a down-to-earth and humble individual who did not harbor any giant ego, they said. He always promptly responded whenever the country and its forces needed his services and advice even post retirement, they added.
They believed that, despite his departure from this world, his legend would live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and his amazing accomplishments as a legendary fighter pilot, an upright yet humble person, a devout Muslim and a wonderful human being.
