Sindh’s ex-governor Azim Daudpota laid to rest

Retired Air Marshal and former Sindh Governor Azim Daudpota, a celebrated hero of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, died here on Monday. He was 84.

The funeral prayer of deceased was held at the PAF Base, Faisal, followed by burial at the PAF graveyard, Korangi Creek, Karachi.

Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair, Air Marshal Asad Lodhi, the vice chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force, the Karachi corps commander and other senior military and civil officials attended the funeral of the legendary PAF war hero. He was later laid to rest at the PAF Graveyard at PAF Base Korangi.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, the chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, also expressed his grief on the sad demise of the iconic legend, who once led the Zimbabwean Air Force as well. 

A daring fighter pilot and a committed professional, Daudpota was an icon and a role model not only for the PAF airmen but also for the entire nation, said the air chief.

Daudpota was born on 14 September, 1933 in a well educated family of Bombay, British India. Having completed his secondary education from the D J Science College in 1951, he joined the RPAF Academy Risalpur in July 1951.

After five months of military training, he was selected for further flying training in Australia. After spending four exciting years at the Point Cook Air Force Base, he returned to the PAF in 1955 and started his career as a promising fighter pilot.

During the 1965 war, Sqn Ldr Azim Daudpota flew 15 strike and five Air Defence missions and was responsible for wrecking many tanks, guns, vehicles, in the face of heavy enemy ground fire.

His great moments came on September 21, 1965 when his formation destroyed many enemy medium guns at the Wagha-Atari Sector. For his leadership, devotion to duty and complete disregard for personal safety, Sqn Ldr Azim Daudpota was awarded Sitara-i-Jurrat.

In 1983, Daudpota was selected as the first non-local ‘Commander of Zimbabwean Air Force’ on the request of the Zimbabwean president.

He took the responsibility of rebuilding the Zimbabwean Air Force as a challenge and proved equal to the task. On successful completion of his tenure in 1986, he was awarded the second highest medal of the country ‘the Zimbabwe order of merit’ by President Mugabe.

Air Marshal Daudpota became the PIA managing director in 1986 and served on this important portfolio for three years. In 1999, he became the governor of Sindh.

Condolences

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has deeply condoled with the family of the retired air marshal.

He applauded the services of the celebrated hero of the 1965 war.

Air Marshall Azim Daudpota was a courageous pilot, a sincere professional and a patriotic Pakistani, he said. 

The chief minister said the principles followed by the late Air Marshal were a role model for the youth of the nation.

Air Marshal Azim Daudpota would always remain in the heart of people as his contribution during the war and peace for the nation would be remembered for long, he added.

In his condolence message, Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair said the void created by the demise of the retired air marshal could not be filled for long as his services would always be remembered.

The governor said that late Azim Daudpota had daringly participated in the 1965 war against India and gallantly fought against the enemy forces.

He said the battlefield achievements of the retired air marshal had become the celebrated war history of Pakistan.

For such reasons, he added, the Pakistani government conferred him highest medals.