COAS grants ailing boy wish to become soldier for a day
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KARACHI: In a unique gesture, a 17-year-old boy has been granted his wish to become a soldier in the Pakistan Army for a single day by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, ISPR said.
Shoaib Aurangzeb, a boy who is suffering from Thalassemia, was made a soldier for a day after expressing his desire through a letter to General Raheel Sharif.
The COAS met Shoaib and granted him his wish to become part of the Pakistan Army.
He also inquired about his health and appreciated his spirits and resolve for the defence of the motherland.
Later Shoaib visited an army unit in Malir and spent his day with the troops.
Thalassemia is a disease caused by the weakening and destruction of red blood cells and can be the cause of significant complications, including pneumonia, iron overload, bone deformities and cardiovascular illness.
The Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan (TFP) has said that Beta Thalassaemia is the most common inherited disorder in Pakistan with a prevalence rate of six per cent.
Read more: Over 50,000 beta thalassaemia kids in Pakistan
With a population of over 180 million, around 11 million people in Pakistan are carriers of this gene. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (69) Closed
Feb 16, 2015 06:44pm
Like!
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Feb 16, 2015 06:45pm
Good gesture.
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Feb 16, 2015 06:46pm
Oh Allah Subhana, May You Grant A Long And A Presuppose Life To This Young Brave Heart Soldier Of Pakistan Armed Forces, Insha Allah.
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Feb 16, 2015 06:53pm
A kind gesture by the General. I appreciate it.
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Feb 16, 2015 06:53pm
Great, what a gesture from the army Chief, keep inspiring the young generation Sir .
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Feb 16, 2015 07:01pm
I worked with a boy suffering from this disease. He used to be so positive about his life and always kept smiling despite the fact he knew he would live for couple of years of less. Silently , he taught me to stay happy and value life. It just reminds me of him. At the end, we are all dust.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:04pm
Get well soon young soldier
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Feb 16, 2015 07:12pm
Raheel Shariff should run for president-ship after retirement.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:13pm
Very Nice.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:15pm
great man,great acts!
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Feb 16, 2015 07:16pm
Seems Pakistan COAS is copying IAF gesture who fulfilled the promise of a similar little boys (struggling with cancer) dream of becoming pilot by awarding him air force rank and gifting him his desired model of LCA Tejas Jet.But unfortunately the boy lost the struggle and died a few days ago in hospital.But any ways good gesture by pakistani COAS.Humanitarian ground is above all
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Feb 16, 2015 07:21pm
Who could say no to the kid?
It must have been the biggest thrill of his life.
Does Pakistan have a Make A Wish Foundation for terminally ill children?
Maybe every mosque could do that - grant their dying wishes.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:21pm
Respect for General.....specially after his mother passed away and such a nice gesture...may Allah bless her soul and may Pak army be blessed by Allah..prayers with you.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:27pm
The haters of Pakistan armed forces who spare no opportunity to defame them need to understand one very basic fact about Pakistani nation. We are by default a military state where a child first choice of career is primarily in armed forces. when someone is talking non sense against forces, in effect taking a pot shot againt national physce.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:30pm
Excellent gesture to fulfill the desire
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Feb 16, 2015 07:35pm
That is amazing that is why Pakistan Army so close to the hearts of people of Pakistan.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:38pm
greatness and kindness of greater soldier to a ailing boy. Wish Politians also the braveman effectionate gesture for the ailing nation.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:40pm
Respect for the General. Great gesture. We all know why Raheel Shariff is in Karachi. To find time in this chaos and spend a day with the boy and attending to his wishes is commendable. after all there are good responsible leaders in this country too. May be other politicians should take a leaf out of his book. Not to mention his mother just passed away and yet work came first. Salute to this great Genera
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Feb 16, 2015 07:46pm
Two heroes!
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Feb 16, 2015 07:51pm
Nice PR job guys.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:52pm
@Vectra Our COAS didn't copy anyone brother. It was the innocent wish of the teen which our great General fulfilled.
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Feb 16, 2015 07:54pm
I like it
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Feb 16, 2015 08:01pm
It would be better if you work towards cleaning karachi of violence which has made thousands orphans
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Feb 16, 2015 08:08pm
Superb gesture!
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Feb 16, 2015 08:15pm
@Spider-man: Do you want him to become another Mamoon Hussain, no way.
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Feb 16, 2015 08:23pm
What a beautiful gesture! General is the first man up there who understands the feelings of human beings and reciprocate also. .
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Feb 16, 2015 08:23pm
Good gesture but for every kid helped like this through wants how many kids have been neglectd for needs? Why has the Army medical corps not taken over affairs in Thar that have left people devastated? Suicides are up and we should notice that when in Punjab, CM Shabaz asked AMC/CMH Pindi to send medics, they responded. Where was General Raheel and his thoughts and prayers with victims of Thar who to this very day include Pakistani posterity suffering every second? Did he speak to Gov Dr Ishrat Ul Ibad or CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah? He can force Nawaz maybe even so he can stay in power but did he force CM/Gov to help the kids of Thar? No cause he knows their time will be up soon.
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Feb 16, 2015 08:42pm
Why is an army chief being projected so much? Is something cooking? In most nations the citizens don't even know who their army chief is.
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Feb 16, 2015 08:45pm
This COAS is a proper politician making the best use of all photo ops. Next Dictator in the making!
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Feb 16, 2015 08:45pm
11 million is a huge number..
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Feb 16, 2015 08:46pm
Good one more thing copied from India Its happened every year in India just happened last week in Mumbai police made wish for cancer effected boy, request to our army stop reading and following indian news
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Feb 16, 2015 08:47pm
@Vectra ...so Gen. Raheel suggested to the boy to write a letter to him.??? All humanitarian gestures are initiated in India only?
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Feb 16, 2015 08:54pm
@Vectra
No he is not. This sort of a gesture has been offered to more than 10 kids in Pakistan since the days of Gen Kiyani. All part of Army's efforts to integrate more with the society in general and is a common PR tactic taken up by militaries across the world.
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Feb 16, 2015 09:07pm
May Almighty bless Soldier Shoaib Aurangzeb with good health, and a long happy life. His wish to become soldier is appreciated by all Pakistani people. Because soldiers are very special people, who put their life on the line to protect the country and its people. May Almighty bless Gen. Raheel. May Almighty bless all in pakistan defence forces (Ameen).
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Feb 16, 2015 09:12pm
When will Nawaz Sharif grants the wish of this ailing country.
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Feb 16, 2015 09:19pm
Salute to the General.
May Allah give the boy and the General long, happy and healthy life to serve the nation.
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Feb 16, 2015 09:19pm
May Allah fills your all desires. The leadership should think for every one in the same manner, and drage out every one from problems!
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Feb 16, 2015 09:27pm
Thank you General,it is a lesson for everyone that how a V V I P like you can spare time for every thing. Thank you again.
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Feb 16, 2015 09:31pm
Very great indeed! May such opportunities be granted to everyone in Pakistan.
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Feb 16, 2015 09:43pm
i am muhammad shoaib aurangzaib and i liked to thank to u all ...thanks for your pray ...thanks my army unit 43 ak hat battlion and thanks make a wish...thanks general
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Feb 16, 2015 09:44pm
We are proud of the General fulfilling dream of a young boy. May Allah shower his blessings on both.
Sikandar
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Feb 16, 2015 09:49pm
Like a true leader...caring for those who need help.
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Feb 16, 2015 09:49pm
Very sentimental.....and heartening story of bravery, love towards one's motherland and a determination to remain positive....Ameen, Sum-ameen.
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Feb 16, 2015 10:18pm
Firstly, I was impressed with General Raheel's family's service to Pakistan. Then I was impressed from his leadership qualities based on his actions and Now I am impressed with his love for humanity and for the children of Pakistan who are our future. General Raheel Sharif is not only a good soldier, but also an excellent leader and a great person.
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Feb 16, 2015 10:34pm
@akhthar
Your comment is a reflection of who and what you are.
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Feb 16, 2015 10:35pm
@Spider-man Why wait. The man would run Pakistan better than the current mob of bandits. I say Raheel Sharif for COAS, President AND PM! The sooner the better!
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Feb 16, 2015 10:38pm
@Imran shaikh
So you think this was the first and the last time someone would do this....why are we a group of people who can not give any credit to anyone... it may be a reason why we are in the mess we find ourselves in...
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Feb 16, 2015 10:39pm
@Mehmana
I think this is a great suggestion...
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Feb 16, 2015 10:51pm
A great gesture by the General. This shows the true character of this General who not only cares about his army personnel, but also cares about general public. May Allah give strength, speedy recovery and long life to this young solider.
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Feb 16, 2015 10:59pm
Now this is how we should treat all our youth and fellow citizens.
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Feb 16, 2015 11:14pm
Such a sweet picture. Our Army Chief brings much more pride than our fumbling government does. Salute to all soldiers.
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Feb 16, 2015 11:27pm
@Vectra I have an Indian friend, who also believes that whatever I do , I copy him. If I sneeze 4 hours later, he thinks I copied him....:)
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Feb 16, 2015 11:48pm
That's great to make someone's wish come true especially kids.
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Feb 16, 2015 11:49pm
This is a great gesture. Most Thalassemia patients are children of first cousins. In many countries, it is illegal to marry first cousin mainly because of this. We need to have the government research it further.
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Feb 16, 2015 11:56pm
Good gesture.
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Feb 16, 2015 11:58pm
This is great, love it
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Feb 17, 2015 12:03am
@Kumar why do you care?
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Feb 17, 2015 12:07am
2 legends in the making :)
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Feb 17, 2015 12:30am
Eyes welled up with gratitude tears. Will our civil army of ministers have the common sense to do such costless gestures
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Feb 17, 2015 12:48am
Good gesture from the General!
The political leaders, wealthy Pakistanis and religious people, should also come forward to help the starving children of Pakistan.
We need to do our best to reduce corruption and improve the overall social, economic and educational conditions of the country.
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Feb 17, 2015 01:20am
great
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Feb 17, 2015 01:38am
@-Spider-man - First of all I must say that I highly appreciate
your gesture. Shoaib Aurangzeb will cherish this day and all
that that has been discussed between two soldiers. Every
Pakistani has to be a soldier in his/her own way; the pre-requites for which are discipline and education.
For the office of President, my sincere advice is NO. I know
Gen. Eisenhower became President of the USA.
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Feb 17, 2015 02:34am
How we behave as adults is a reflection of how we were raised as kids. His mom raised him to be a kind , caring and sensible man, good job general Raheel but credit goes to your mom, God bless her.
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Feb 17, 2015 02:58am
This is just the BEST gesture ever. More such programs should be organized.
Hats off to the COAS and the military.
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Feb 17, 2015 04:22am
Thank You General for the kindness extended to this young boy. May Allah Bless Pakistan.
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Feb 17, 2015 05:35am
@Jalaluddin S. Hussain
I fully agree with you.
m.mirza
longueuil
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Feb 17, 2015 05:43am
" The Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan (TFP) has said that Beta Thalassaemia is the most common inherited disorder in Pakistan with a prevalence rate of six per cent. With a population of over 180 million, around 11 million people in Pakistan are carriers of this gene. It is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world."
When you marry with your BLOOD relations ,chances of passing on Thalassaemia increases..
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Feb 17, 2015 05:54am
Good gesture by the chief of Pakistan Army.
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Feb 17, 2015 11:21am
@Vectra I dont know when it happened in India, but this is practice over the years. There are many examples of this where Army chief had allowed for a day some young child to be a soldier and spend the day with the troops/
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