Late Col Amjad epitomised what Pakistan should have been like

Islamabad

The Pakistan Movement worker Col (R) Amjad Hussain Sayed, a distinguished figure, epitomised what Pakistan should have been like and what Pakistanis should aspire to be. His services to Pakistan and its people will continue living on and on in hearts and minds of many.

This devoted and committed Pakistani passed away on Monday in Lahore after having been admitted to CMH there for several days, and faced acute ailments. His Namaz-e-Janaza was offered in Lahore Wednesday afternoon. Col Amjad stands out prominent for his exceptional qualities and distinctions. 

Born in Gujranwala, Col Amjad lost his parents in his infancy and his uncle, a leading physician, Dr Muhammad Hussain, who founded Samli Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Murree -- and also founded Muslim Town, Lahore as a counter of Hindu elite colony of Model Town, Lahore -- took him into his Muslim Town home and still resides in Muslim Town in a house he built in 1962 that exudes modesty and elegance.

Late Amjad Hussain has get early education from Muslim High School Railway road and then from Islamia Collage Railway Road and then to Punjab University, where the Hindu students were in majority. 

Col Amjad took part in the October 1937 session of All India Muslim League, Lucknow and also was present at the March 1940 Lahore Session of All India Muslim League. The departed soul was father of former federal minister and incumbent chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and special panel on CPEC, PML Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Mowahid Hussain, and Mujahid Hussain. Col Amjad was hospitalised for weeks at CMH, Lahore, facing acute health complications.

He was, needless to say, an active worker of the Pakistan Movement. He was frequent visitor to Hakeemul Ummat Allama Iqbal at his residence in Lahore and during that period also met the Quaid-i-Azam, the Father of the Nation. Col Amjad was lucky to have been chosen by Allama Iqbal and sent to the historic 1937 session of the Muslim League, where the Muslim League was reorganised under the dynamic leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam and hence this historic session turned out to be a launching pad for the Pakistan Movement.

Col Amjad was also able to take part in the Muslim League session in March 1940 in Lahore, where the Pakistan resolution was adopted. Col. Amjad was commissioned in the army in January 1942 and served in the Middle East during the World War II. Afterwards, he achieved distinction at a military course in England.

He was sent in 1957 as defence attaché to Jakarta, Indonesia, where India under Prime Minister Pandit Nehru had considerable influence after Bandun Conference in 1955. By the dint of his untiring efforts, Col Amjad was able to inspire Pakistan-Indonesia relations and he was decorated in 1963 with Bintang Dharma-Indonesia’s highest medal bestowed for the most distinguished service.

His efforts were translated into a tangible action during the Pak-India war in 1965, when Indonesian leader Sukarno stood like the Rock of Gibraltar behind Pakistan. His military assignments included being commandant of ASC Officers School at Jhelum and Commanding Officer at Dhaka from 1964-67. He was recalled to the army during 1971 war.

This worker of Pakistan Movement was widely honoured and regarded as a figure of inspiration owing to his integrity, daring and moral courage. It goes without saying that today there are very few, who have witnessed the Partition. And indeed, fewer still, who have been part of the Pakistan Movement and, who were lucky to have met Quaid-i-Azam and Col Amjad was among those very few.

He was recognised as an icon of the Pakistan Movement and has been a frequent speaker on various public forums, radio and television shows to mark the historic national events. He was known and respected for his uprightness, courage of convictions and austerity in his lifestyle.

Col Amjad selflessly remained busy spreading the Ideology of Pakistan throughout his life and always wished it to be translated into ideals of the Father of the Nation. There was one similarity between Ahmed Faraz and Syed Amjad Hussain that both had a belief in dreams.

Just few days back in the month of Ramazan, Col Amjad made a telephone call to his son Mushahid Hussain and asked him to meet him as many days past and Mushahid Hussain went immediately to Lahore. 

Amjad Hussain while observing the Father’s Day with his son Senator Mushahid Hussain and his grandson Mustafa Haider reminds the last days of Quaid-i-Azam. He asked his grandson Mustafa Haider, “You are young and full of hope and always keep firm belief in Almighty Allah.”