Student’s goodwill gesture: From a 'future army officer'

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

LAHORE: A class III student was invited by Lahore Corps Commander Lt-Gen Naweed Zaman in his office to acknowledge his gesture of goodwill for the army.

Eight-year-old Yousaf Mueen, of Lahore, had sent a letter to the corps commander along with a donation of Rs5,000 from his own saving to “buy bullets for troops to eliminate militants during the ongoing military operation in North Waziristan”.

According to a press release, he wrote that he regularly watched news about the army operation on TV channels, and though being tender in age, it was not possible for him to fight alongside the troops but he was determined to contribute towards his country and the army.

Expressing his resolve to serve his country with pride, he concluded, ‘your future army officer, Muhammad Yousaf Mueen’. The corps commander lauded his commitment towards a national cause and presented him a souvenir as a memento of his visit to the Corps Headquarters.

Published in Dawn, June 28th , 2014

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Farooq

Jun 28, 2014 01:59pm

BRAVO... well done

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mohammadnoonnanna

Jun 28, 2014 02:04pm

Balle o SHERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Long live Pakistan and spirit of the boy.

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Moiz Omar

Jun 28, 2014 02:05pm

My father and Lt-Gen Naweed Zaman were classmates at Cadet College Hasan Abdal.

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Harmony

Jun 28, 2014 02:12pm

What a nice gesture!

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tan

Jun 28, 2014 02:39pm

Every Pakistani should contribute something to eliminate these militants to ensure a safe Pakistan for future generation.

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Asif Naeem Bhatti

Jun 28, 2014 02:46pm

well done mate

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Kashif Chohan

Jun 28, 2014 02:52pm

Every pakistani should demonstrate similar spirit of support to make a point for these militants that we stand united to clean our motherland from these poisonous snakes once for all.

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Asif

Jun 28, 2014 03:00pm

Instead you using pocket money on using destructive work, this small child should be taught of using it for some constructive work like use it for education. No one can win war with bullets. learn from developed countries.

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hassan

Jun 28, 2014 03:58pm

@Asif The developed countries invest massively in all kinds of destructive technology. Do you propose that the boy should have contributed towards , say, buying drones?

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owais

Jun 28, 2014 04:16pm

@Asif yes and world war 2 was won due to good manners of the allies.But first suitable environment has to be created through military means by eliminating the hardened terrorists.

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Jani

Jun 28, 2014 05:06pm

@Asif In view of the need of the hour the young bravo's gesture and official response is commendable. Please advise the so called democratic governments who have never allocated more than 4% for the promotion of education. They failed to plan the human resource management for the country that has resulted into churning out of, a big number of graduates and post graduates in certain fields for which there are no jobs available

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asjad khan

Jun 28, 2014 05:16pm

Highly appreciated. People still do not understand that this is not a destructive war but a constructive one on which our future depends. For argument sake how could people downplay this donation. It is vital for us to show similar attitude not negative one. This kid is a blessing for this country. Bravo kid if you read our writings.

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Shakeel

Jun 28, 2014 05:19pm

We should all adopt the spirit of young Muhammad Yousaf Mueen. We can support the war effort by providing support to the IDPs, being vigilant as reprisal attacks are bound to happen, flying the flag to show our support and remaining strong. This war will be long and painful.

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Ali

Jun 28, 2014 05:39pm

In 1971, when I did not see my father for a long time who was serving as SSG commando, I wrote a similar letter and stuffed my coins to help the country but did not have enough even to buy stamps. The letter remained an unknown history just because I did not have the means. While not toake away from this kid good will gesture, I still know people who would love to help the army but they lack the means. Long Live Pakistan. PEACE

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Reader

Jun 28, 2014 06:31pm

@Asif If he learns from developed countries he will contribute to international conflicts like American kids who signed bombs before being dropped on Iraqi population & childern

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Khalid

Jun 28, 2014 07:15pm

I hope they returned his money.

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Moby

Jun 28, 2014 07:16pm

The main question is whether the army quietly returned the child's money, perhaps to his parents? I am sure that Fauji Foundation, various weapons manufacturing and exporting interests, Fauji cement, many defense housing societies etc all make a nice chunk for our army that they do not need the 5,000 rupees from this adorable child.

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Ali Nawaz

Jun 28, 2014 07:25pm

@Asif without eliminating those who blow up schools, education can't reach the backward areas of the country. The kid deserves praise

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Balach Tahir Baluch

Jun 28, 2014 07:49pm

@Khalid Wrong. I actually pray they took the Rps 5,000; had it sent to POF; and had the defence manufacturers symbolically send a bullet to the troops in North Waziristan to use against the phantoms of menace.

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Jun 28, 2014 08:35pm

@Balach Tahir Baluch To the corrupt - embezzlers is a good example -- how a small class 3 child - give to his country -- This should be front page news --with photos --so people should learn - and a clear message to the TTP - lay down the arms now -- even small children dont like their savage ways of life.. ??? support TTP?

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azhar

Jun 28, 2014 08:38pm

@Khalid No. they contributed millions more and sent it for IDPs ...

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Asif Naeem Bhatti

Jun 28, 2014 10:07pm

Bravo young man. We need more like you.

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IKE

Jun 28, 2014 10:21pm

This is a real Pakistani. All of you who are doubting and politicizing this little kids heart, go away and find another forum. There are lot of Pakistanis who will die for Pakistan. You have seen few thousand Taliban and their propaganda and few thousand ney Sayers to Pakistan, but do not call for common Pakistani to rise for Pakistan. You not going to like it.

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Muhammad

Jun 28, 2014 10:54pm

How much money Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari are going to donate from the their accounts? The answer is minus Millions of Dollars.

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Shan

Jun 28, 2014 10:58pm

Dear ! We need promote economy and Good governance! not army...we getting worst day by day..due to these guys and they promoting themselves as best for this nation such pity for us.

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asim

Jun 28, 2014 11:27pm

If he knew who has created this monster , he would definitely have a second thought.

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Amjad Wyne

Jun 29, 2014 12:25am

@Asif I am not aware of any developed country that tolerates terrorism on its land. I am not aware of any developed country that does not use bullets and bombs to eliminate terrorists from its soil. In developed countries, terrorists are hanged or put in electric chair if they somehow survive the bullets. This is the reason why terrorism exists in Muslim lands and kills fellow Muslims but has been largely eliminated from developed countries. Regarding this little boy, yes, I wish he had the opportunity to spend this money on himself but what do you say to an 8 year old child who sees daily destruction of schools, suicide bombings and killing of polio workers. Yes, it traumatizes the nation and that is how people react.

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Xeric

Jun 29, 2014 12:26am

Surprised that our 'liberals' havent yet questioned the innocent motives of this child??!!

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mohsin

Jun 29, 2014 12:26am

I am pretty sure the military is fully capable of dealing with the militants even though i also believe that due to the situation in Afghanistan it will take time. What I would like to know is if the military has any strategy to deal with the big fish, the worst criminals in govt today through a rigged election that took away any hope of the common man. How many people have to die at the hands to these feudal cartels and mafia politicians or their corrupt police servants before they will realize that its them who are a real threat to Pakistan.

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Atif

Jun 29, 2014 01:56am

@Asif and those thumbing up his confused nonsense: it is high time the nation united against this militant monster. It was high time long ago, in fact. The TTP monster can not be placated without bullets.

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Shahid

Jun 29, 2014 04:29am

A nation whose youth has this kind of spirit cannot be defeated.

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Faisal

Jun 29, 2014 05:57am

@Asif Those who only want to speak the language of bullets cannot and will not listen to words. There is no choice here.

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FIZA Soho

Jun 29, 2014 07:31am

What a wonderful, kind hearted child who made a selfless sacrifice for his brave heroes! If only our own leaders were even one fourth as generous as Yousaf Mueen, and visited our heroic military in person while they bravely fight an invisible enemy. Would it be too much to ask these self serving "leaders" or MP's to offer our Pakistani fauj gifts? Especially now during Ramzan? I'm sure Yousaf Mueen will be an amazing future leader, and once he joins the Pak Army many will admire him for his kind, decent and generous nature. Unlike the leaders we have in power today.

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khanm

Jun 29, 2014 09:53am

we must tell this child that bullets have never solved any problems. we have to tell him that guns are evil! And very little good comes from the availability of a bullet designed to kill human beings!

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Humayun Habib

Jun 29, 2014 12:03pm

Do such gestures also happen in Quetta, Khuzdar, Peshawar, Karaachi, Hyderabad ?

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Muhammad

Jun 29, 2014 12:05pm

Bravooooo, I wish our 60 year old politicians could learn a thing or two for this kid about patriotism.

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Abbas

Jun 29, 2014 01:22pm

@w. Agreed.