139
In the name of Allah ,The Merciful, The Compassionate
42. My dear friend, Ishaq, is dead
I was thinking of John Keats and his saying ‘my name is writ on water’ one morning when my cell phone rang . At the age of 64 often people feel that their names, too, are writ on water . When I was doing my Masters, I read an essay by Jonathan Swift 'Meditation on a Broomstick 'in which the author compared the passing of one's life with the wear and tear of a broomstick when it is discarded and thrown away.
It was early morning perhaps 5.15 AM on 7th June 2008 when the phone rang. It was Anisa ,my friend’s middle daughter . She told me that her father had passed away the previous night . I was not shocked because I knew that he had been suffering from various ailments for the past many years without respite .The latest was that he was suffering from cancer. We learnt that after his death from his daughters. That was news to my family. Occasionally death comes as a relief to a dying man : a blessing in disguise like my parents' death because both of them died in discomfort being gravely ill and blind. Ishaq sahib was around 80.
Ishaq Saheb phoned me in March to tell me that he was going to the Maker and he would like to see me whenever he finds someone to take him to my house .The next day , Saad, my son, took me to see Ishaq Saheb because like him, I ,too, avoid driving in and around the city. Saad left me sitting with him for two hours We discussed various subjects from National to International politics .
Subsequently events outpaced each other .My eye surgery and my son’s, Mustafa, illness .Besides , the distance between his house in F-8/2 and my house in Naval Officers Housing Society , Naval Anchorage is almost one hour’s drive .
When I preparing myself to attend his funeral, I slipped after taking a bath and hurt myself badly .My daughter , Amina, telephoned her mother and Mustafa shopping in a nearby housing society .They rushed leaving the shopping unfinished .Mustafa took me to a doctor in PWD Housing Society .I had a few stitches on the wound above the eyebrows. By evening the wound gave a terrible sight . My left eye was
140
bloody and swollen .However , Saad ,Amina and myself made to my friend’s house in time for the funeral. Afterwards we went to my eye specialist .
Throughout my life , I made friends with all age groups . I am Gemini and a Gemini tend to make friends very easily .Among my friends who are or were older to me are Professor Muhammad Jamil ‘Azar’,my class fellow while doing my Masters in English Literature and who is also a writer and a poet and hence he has taken a ‘takluss’. I don’t know why he has taken a very odd looking ‘Takluss’. I dare not say to his face that Azar was the name of Hazrat Ibrahim’s father. He gets annoyed in a moment .However, in Gordon College ,we had nicknamed as Parson Adams(reference 'Joseph Andrews' , a novel by Fielding) .And I had among my old friends the late M/s Masood and Hamid ,my office colleagues who were gems of persons .The late Maulana Shamsuddin , who was innocent as a child .The death of Ishaq Saheb adds to my loss.
I had known him since 1970 .I always called him Ishaq Saheb(he was around 80 while I am 64 ) in keeping with our traditions and the traditions in which I was brought up at home and at School .I was posted to the Ministry of Commerce in November 1970.People working in the Ministry warned me not to go near him .He was reputed to be no nonsense type of a man .Once I approached him over some official matter , I found him a decent man unlike what the others said about him .
Ishaq Saheb knew what he was talking about .At work , he knew the subject .Besides that ,he knew the Pakistan’s trade and commerce like the back of his hand .No wonder , he did not suffer fools gladly .
After an initial inhibition, Ishaq sahib and I made friends .In office , whenever he was free he came to me to have a discussion ranging from politics to far off lands ..He had lived in France and Hong Kong. Or I was with him for most of day .Although by his own admission , he never acquired a formal education, but he was very well read . He was able to discuss paintings and others forms of Fine Arts. It was always a pleasure to be with him. He led a full life.
Gradually our friendship blossomed .There were many events in our lives I will not like to go into details. However, I must mention one particular incident. It was 7.30 one night and I had just come back home after a tiring day when the phone rang .It was Azra , my friend's youngest daughter . I was then posted as a Deputy Secretary in the Economics Affairs Division and looking after the World Bank desk .She told me that her father had not returned home from the office. Ishaq saheb was then a
Another event that comes to mind . We were then working in the Ministry of Commerce .PIA wanted to import some items. I showed the Airlines letter to him . Together we planned to make things difficult for them. I drafted a reply to the Airlines .However , before sending ,I showed the draft to the Joint Secretary , Dr.A.K.Tanvir. When the Airlines received the Ministry's reply, there was a fire in the organization .The Chairman, Enver Jamal, flew to Islamabad to brief the President ,General Ziaul Haq(Alas after the country's Independence, Pakistan has been ruled the military junta for most of its history).One fine morning , yours truly was called by Dr.Tanvir and asked for a particular file .He showed me the President's directive( as if the President had no other work to do).Attached to it was yours truly letter. .Dr.Tanvir asked me if the draft was approved by him. I replied that I discussed the matter with him verbally .Subsequently on the same day a meeting was held in his room .Ishaq saheb also attended it .The consensus was that I had every right to ask PIA to furnish information though the language was strong .
Friendships are blessings particularly in my case .I am the only child of my parents .My wife has four brothers and three sisters. One of her brothers is settled in the USA while two are living in Lahore .Among the sisters ,one lives in Quetta while the other two are living in Lahore .My extended family is very large .I have many cousins; first , second and third cousins .However , my family is spread all over the globe . Besides at times one needs the advice of one’s true friends on matters too personal not to be discussed with everyone . Ishaq Saheb was such a person. I gained two fold; any discussion is limited to him .There was no fear of spread word around .He was not the type .Secondly, I gained a sound advice .It was particularly true after my father's death 1995.
When I was hospitalized in 1987, Ishaq Saheb came to see me riding on Masood Saheb Vespa scooter .Once when I was away , he came to see me and sat with my
142
father for three hours till I came home .He was very pleased with the achievements of my children .One night, we dined in a restaurant in Blue Area , Islamabad .Following dinner , we decided to pay him a surprise visit .He made Saad and Maleeha sit with him on the sofa .He was very excited to meet the newly married couple .On each visit , he made it a point to enquire after my children individually.
After his wife died , he became very lonely .He had a few friends who often came to see him .He was very generous to a fault .Once I had to borrow Rs 500/ from him-.The next day I went to return the money .He absolutely refused to take it back. One another occasion I was admiring his well kept garden .He told me to take any plant I wished.
Many people come to condole one's death .They utter routine words .But the true pain is felt by the immediate family , the wife and children. All others return to their normal life and their normal activities. This truth came to me at the death of Javed , the younger brother of my very dear friend, Aftab. He was posted in London as Pakistan's Naval Attache. His burial in Islamabad was full of fanfare. Even the Naval Chief attended. But the grieving family has not forgotten him nor their grief.
Death cannot be avoided. Death came to the Prophets of Allah .We must as Muslims say that we belong to Allah and we must return to Him.
Mahfooz ur Rahman
Islamabad
June 07 , 2008
In the name of Allah ,The Merciful, The Compassionate
42. My dear friend, Ishaq, is dead
I was thinking of John Keats and his saying ‘my name is writ on water’ one morning when my cell phone rang . At the age of 64 often people feel that their names, too, are writ on water . When I was doing my Masters, I read an essay by Jonathan Swift 'Meditation on a Broomstick 'in which the author compared the passing of one's life with the wear and tear of a broomstick when it is discarded and thrown away.
It was early morning perhaps 5.15 AM on 7th June 2008 when the phone rang. It was Anisa ,my friend’s middle daughter . She told me that her father had passed away the previous night . I was not shocked because I knew that he had been suffering from various ailments for the past many years without respite .The latest was that he was suffering from cancer. We learnt that after his death from his daughters. That was news to my family. Occasionally death comes as a relief to a dying man : a blessing in disguise like my parents' death because both of them died in discomfort being gravely ill and blind. Ishaq sahib was around 80.
Ishaq Saheb phoned me in March to tell me that he was going to the Maker and he would like to see me whenever he finds someone to take him to my house .The next day , Saad, my son, took me to see Ishaq Saheb because like him, I ,too, avoid driving in and around the city. Saad left me sitting with him for two hours We discussed various subjects from National to International politics .
Subsequently events outpaced each other .My eye surgery and my son’s, Mustafa, illness .Besides , the distance between his house in F-8/2 and my house in Naval Officers Housing Society , Naval Anchorage is almost one hour’s drive .
When I preparing myself to attend his funeral, I slipped after taking a bath and hurt myself badly .My daughter , Amina, telephoned her mother and Mustafa shopping in a nearby housing society .They rushed leaving the shopping unfinished .Mustafa took me to a doctor in PWD Housing Society .I had a few stitches on the wound above the eyebrows. By evening the wound gave a terrible sight . My left eye was
140
bloody and swollen .However , Saad ,Amina and myself made to my friend’s house in time for the funeral. Afterwards we went to my eye specialist .
Throughout my life , I made friends with all age groups . I am Gemini and a Gemini tend to make friends very easily .Among my friends who are or were older to me are Professor Muhammad Jamil ‘Azar’,my class fellow while doing my Masters in English Literature and who is also a writer and a poet and hence he has taken a ‘takluss’. I don’t know why he has taken a very odd looking ‘Takluss’. I dare not say to his face that Azar was the name of Hazrat Ibrahim’s father. He gets annoyed in a moment .However, in Gordon College ,we had nicknamed as Parson Adams(reference 'Joseph Andrews' , a novel by Fielding) .And I had among my old friends the late M/s Masood and Hamid ,my office colleagues who were gems of persons .The late Maulana Shamsuddin , who was innocent as a child .The death of Ishaq Saheb adds to my loss.
I had known him since 1970 .I always called him Ishaq Saheb(he was around 80 while I am 64 ) in keeping with our traditions and the traditions in which I was brought up at home and at School .I was posted to the Ministry of Commerce in November 1970.People working in the Ministry warned me not to go near him .He was reputed to be no nonsense type of a man .Once I approached him over some official matter , I found him a decent man unlike what the others said about him .
Ishaq Saheb knew what he was talking about .At work , he knew the subject .Besides that ,he knew the Pakistan’s trade and commerce like the back of his hand .No wonder , he did not suffer fools gladly .
After an initial inhibition, Ishaq sahib and I made friends .In office , whenever he was free he came to me to have a discussion ranging from politics to far off lands ..He had lived in France and Hong Kong. Or I was with him for most of day .Although by his own admission , he never acquired a formal education, but he was very well read . He was able to discuss paintings and others forms of Fine Arts. It was always a pleasure to be with him. He led a full life.
Gradually our friendship blossomed .There were many events in our lives I will not like to go into details. However, I must mention one particular incident. It was 7.30 one night and I had just come back home after a tiring day when the phone rang .It was Azra , my friend's youngest daughter . I was then posted as a Deputy Secretary in the Economics Affairs Division and looking after the World Bank desk .She told me that her father had not returned home from the office. Ishaq saheb was then a
141
Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of
Industries . I told her that I would call her after fifteen minutes .I hung up
and called the Central Registry in the Ministry of Industries to send someone
to the car shed to find out if there was any car there . The clerk there told
me in the negative .I then phoned his Additional Secretary , Capt(Retd)
Rahatullah Khan Jarral . He promised me to enquire. He drove to Ishaq Saheb's
house accompanied by his daughter and took Azra to search for him .They went to
various police stations and hospitals in Islamabad. When they were coming back
to my friend's house , they espied his car coming towards the house . Another event that comes to mind . We were then working in the Ministry of Commerce .PIA wanted to import some items. I showed the Airlines letter to him . Together we planned to make things difficult for them. I drafted a reply to the Airlines .However , before sending ,I showed the draft to the Joint Secretary , Dr.A.K.Tanvir. When the Airlines received the Ministry's reply, there was a fire in the organization .The Chairman, Enver Jamal, flew to Islamabad to brief the President ,General Ziaul Haq(Alas after the country's Independence, Pakistan has been ruled the military junta for most of its history).One fine morning , yours truly was called by Dr.Tanvir and asked for a particular file .He showed me the President's directive( as if the President had no other work to do).Attached to it was yours truly letter. .Dr.Tanvir asked me if the draft was approved by him. I replied that I discussed the matter with him verbally .Subsequently on the same day a meeting was held in his room .Ishaq saheb also attended it .The consensus was that I had every right to ask PIA to furnish information though the language was strong .
Friendships are blessings particularly in my case .I am the only child of my parents .My wife has four brothers and three sisters. One of her brothers is settled in the USA while two are living in Lahore .Among the sisters ,one lives in Quetta while the other two are living in Lahore .My extended family is very large .I have many cousins; first , second and third cousins .However , my family is spread all over the globe . Besides at times one needs the advice of one’s true friends on matters too personal not to be discussed with everyone . Ishaq Saheb was such a person. I gained two fold; any discussion is limited to him .There was no fear of spread word around .He was not the type .Secondly, I gained a sound advice .It was particularly true after my father's death 1995.
When I was hospitalized in 1987, Ishaq Saheb came to see me riding on Masood Saheb Vespa scooter .Once when I was away , he came to see me and sat with my
142
father for three hours till I came home .He was very pleased with the achievements of my children .One night, we dined in a restaurant in Blue Area , Islamabad .Following dinner , we decided to pay him a surprise visit .He made Saad and Maleeha sit with him on the sofa .He was very excited to meet the newly married couple .On each visit , he made it a point to enquire after my children individually.
After his wife died , he became very lonely .He had a few friends who often came to see him .He was very generous to a fault .Once I had to borrow Rs 500/ from him-.The next day I went to return the money .He absolutely refused to take it back. One another occasion I was admiring his well kept garden .He told me to take any plant I wished.
Many people come to condole one's death .They utter routine words .But the true pain is felt by the immediate family , the wife and children. All others return to their normal life and their normal activities. This truth came to me at the death of Javed , the younger brother of my very dear friend, Aftab. He was posted in London as Pakistan's Naval Attache. His burial in Islamabad was full of fanfare. Even the Naval Chief attended. But the grieving family has not forgotten him nor their grief.
Death cannot be avoided. Death came to the Prophets of Allah .We must as Muslims say that we belong to Allah and we must return to Him.
Mahfooz ur Rahman
Islamabad
June 07 , 2008
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