I’m not really in favour of naming things after people, it’s seems silly at times, but people who have done something to be proud off do deserve to be recognised.
Call to name bridge after Captain Iqbal
http://khybermail.com.pk/c2.html
Khyber Mail Report
PESHAWAR: The residents of district Nowshera have appealed to the President General Pervez Musharraf and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) government to name the recently constructed bridge at Khairabad after Captain Iqbal Shaheed, who sacrificed his life for the country.
A press release issued here said that the Captain Iqbal Shaheed born in Pashtoon Garhi, district Nowshera was graduated from Islamia College Peshawar. He was commissioned in Army Services Corps (ASC) but he wanted to be a front line soldier and for that purpose he joined Special Services Group (SSG).
The colleagues of the Iqbal Shaheed said that during his college days, he was a religious minded and always an upright person and true Pakistani. In September 1997, he while leading a combat group of SSG as a counter offensive force laid his life for motherland.
“Shahadat was always his earnest desire and dream, which came true and he set an example for others to follow him for this country when needed,” said his colleagues. It was learnt from his close friends and villagers that just before operation, he in his will stated that a few outstanding Rozas (fasts) of the Holy month of Ramazan, which he could not kept because of the very hard training of commandos course as he fell sick, were to be returned with Kafara.
Similarly, he also mentioned about a bank loan, which he did not remember in Islamia college days, were also to be paid out of his gratuity fund. He had also wished in his will that some outstanding rupees should be paid to his unit cobbler. “His will by itself speaks of a true Muslim who is born and known only for do or die,” said his lovers.
For his gallant action beyond his call of duty, he was awarded Hilal-e-Jurrat, the second highest gallantry award of Pakistan army after Nishan-e-Haider. It is worth mentioning that his father Haji Noor Ahmad Khan, a graduate of pre-independence era and a retired custom superintendent is also an extremely pious person who owns just a Kutcha house in his native village.
It was learnt that Iqbal Shaheed had also written in his will that his grave should not be cemented. There is no need to offer any alms after my death because my deeds and actions would be with me in the grave and eternal life. He had also asked his elders to distribute Rs 50, 000 among orphans and poor from his funds.
The martyrs have always been given true recognition in Pakistan and various roads, bridges and other parks were being named in their names so that their services could be remembered forever and the coming generation should know about their history. Ziauddin Abbassi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, Sarwar Shaheed Government College Gujar Khan and Major Akram (Shaheed Bridge) over river Jehlum beside others are the examples.
Captain Iqbal Shaheed being the son of district Nowshera and also that he served at Attock Fort, the newly constructed bridge at Khairabad should be named after this hero, who laid his life for the supreme cause.
General Pervez Musharraf, being a commando general for SSG and so many colleagues of Captain Iqbal Shaheed, who are now sitting in national and provincial assemblies will also deem appropriate to take this decision at the most appropriate time.