STRAIGHT TALK by Hafeez Khan
Air Commodore Nazir Bin Latif is an icon in Pakistan Air Force. Over generations, like popular athletes, thousandsof officers come and go; but only few are remembered with affection. Pele in football, Imran Khan in cricket, Aziz Bhatti or MM Alam in the forces are embedded in institutional memories. It’s just not their courage or prowess in their profession; it’s their charisma emanating from the stories that get shared over generations.
Bin Latif aka Bill Latif was one of them. A war hero of 1965 and 1971 war, he was awarded two SJs ( Sitara-e- Juraat). He passed away on June 30th 2011. Out of respect and admiration, his funeral was attended by six Air Force Chiefs, one serving and five retired along with thousands of others. His stories shared by colleagues and juniors are plentiful, that would fill many columns. I will share one narrated by my close friend Adil Chaudhry aka “Pir Adil” amongst his aviation friends. Adil himself is a legendry officer.
Bin Latif was a flamboyant character. After the ’65 war,having earned laurels for his bravery, he was posted as base commander Sargodha. Those were the good old days when the officer’s messes were “wet” and mixed gatherings were the norm. Latif, a bachelor, fell for the spouse of the local SP. He went through the hoops trying to impress the lady. When he found out that she liked Chinese Food, a rarity back then, he had it flown in fresh from Lahore. When she said she preferred the one from Karachi, jets were scrambled to bring it in.
However the ultimate attempt to woo is the best part of the story. Post 65 war the officers wore arms. One evening when the lady was present, Bin Latif after having a few, pulled out his revolver. Emptied the bullets out of the chamber, and reinserted one. Asking the lady to watch, he spun the bullet chamber, put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. Fortunately it was just a click; Bin Latif survived. Speaking directly to his infatuation he said “ask your husband to do it.” Sensibly the SP had slithered away by then. That is when Latif threw his punch line “that is the difference between a fighter pilot and a police officer; we offer the ultimate sacrifice for our country and those we love!” He had played the ultimate game known as Russian Roullette.
Today when I sat down to write this piece, after updating myself about what was going on in our political scene, I was reminded of this story. It is getting apparent by the day that not one but multiple actors attempting to reshape the destiny of this nation are playing Russian Roullette. For starters look at Humayun Dilawar, Additional Session Judge Islamabad. He is acting as an executioner, embarked on a “hara kiri”, “suicide mission” in Japanese. He is out to convict Imran Khan, hell or high water. He is breaking all judicial norms and legalities, bull dozing and violating human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Then there is Honorable Chief Justice Islamabad. He reminds one of the US President in early 20th century who would hide in a closet when an important time-bound decision had to be made. He would let others decide and then emerge to take credit for the right decisions and blame others for the wrong ones. The matter of jurisdiction in Tosha Khana has been pending before him since May 11th. If Supreme Court had not twisted his arm he would not have heard this case till after IK was convicted. Thanks for a partial relief your Honor.
It does not end here. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has spent his entire political life sitting in a lap. Mostly it has been his elder brother Nawaz. Course of events now indicate that he has switched laps. He has moved to aseat offered by the Establishment. He is ditching his bro, Zardari and the rest of the gang of thieves. Blinded by lure of continuing in power, he is forgetting that this lap is really a sieve where occupants are used and ditched; unless he is willing to be face of a civilian martial law. Another Roullette game being enacted. He knows public will reject him for his dismal performance. Only the powerful can manage manipulation of elections.
The grand finale of the Roullette lies with the Powerful. Using subservient PM SS, they have rammed through legislations that will strip all rights guaranteed in the Constitution. More than 50 bills have been rushed through a toothless parliament to consolidate power in the hands of the rulers. The Powerful visualize themselves as the saviors, selling grandiose schemes of an agricultural, industrial and foreign investment revolution.
They are treading on thin ice. Do those in power really take the investors as fools? Capital is always risk averse and shy. Would they embark on risky ventures when political stability will take a nose dive if PTI is pushed out of the election mix? Leadership requires a combination of a vision, integrity with the right mix of pragmatism. Playing Russian Roullette negates all the above. Desperation, brute force and suppression are not the answer. Let the rule of law and Constitution prevail; this is the only saving grace. You have damaged the country, economy, dashed all future prospects for an entire generation. Where will you stop?
