ADMIRAL Fasih Bokhari, a former Naval Chief and Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), breathed his last on Nov 24 in CMH Rawalpindi. He handled his disease with the aplomb, dignity and fortitude with which he had led his life before “crossing the bar”. He was accorded befitting funeral honours by Pakistan Navy at his burial, next to his son, at the Chak Shahzad family graveyard.

I had the opportunity of working with Admiral Bokhari during my extended deputation to Pakistan Navy, and subsequently as an advisor in NAB on his desire and asking. It was both a privilege and an honour to have worked alongside him.

He manifested and applied the motto of “duty, honour and country” in its truest sense. He was a gentleman of striking demeanour who was authentic in his integrity, deep in intellect and unfailing in his moral probity. He touched, inspired and moved all of us who were associated with him to better realms, be it in our personal friendships or professional goals. That, I reckon, was his true leadership.

Every Tuesday and Friday, we would get together for a banter or reminiscence or to discuss issues ranging from trivial to national. We would bounce it off him and occasionally criticise him too. Never once his rank, ego or intellect came in the way of his innate goodness and benign composure while responding to anyone. In the last meeting a couple of weeks ago, for some odd reason, we asked him to stay longer, unknowing that this was his “Adieu”.

You will be remembered, Admiral, as a human being and professional per excellence for long. While we, your friends, struggle to find ways and means to keep you with us in your absence.

Brig (retd) S. Javed Ashraf Khan
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2020