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ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Some of the top guns of Pakistan Air Force swooped down and gathered at the air headquarters auditorium to remember Nur Khan, one of the finest air marshals, on Wednesday morning.
Former air chiefs Jamal A Khan, Farooq Feroz, Abbas Khattak, Hakimullah, Kaleem Saadat, Pervez Mehdi and several others, including fighter veteran Air Commodore (retired) Sajjad Haider who led the Pathankot attack in 1965, made smooth touchdowns when they all entered the hall together. And leading this formation was the first native commander-in-chief of Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Asghar Khan.Air seemed heavy with sorrow over the loss of an air warrior that PAF would miss. But at the same time the feeling of pride dominated any other emotion among men who had the honour of serving under Nur Khan.
A tiny spotlight shone on his portrait hung along the walls of the auditorium with all former air chiefs dropping in the background.
The ceremony marked the birthday of Nur Khan - February 22, 1923. PAF took the opportunity to announce the launch of a commemorative postage stamp in honour of the services rendered by its former chief.
The Rs8 stamp captured the image of Nur Khan with the historic air raid of Pathankot in the backdrop.
The present Air Chief Marshal, Rao Qamar Suleman, announced his decision to change the name of the hall to Nur Khan Auditorium and Begum Farhat Nur Khan unveiled the plaque on the occasion.
Asghar Khan was the first to stand behind the rostrum to remember his experiences with Nur Khan whom he had known since school days.
He described him as a giant among men who left trail of courage and dedication for the nation to follow. "The PAF and the country will miss him a great deal," he said.
A short documentary titled Nur Khan the Legend followed speeches that was produced by PTV and PAF capturing the glimpses from his life from schools days to his command of PAF days short of the 1965 war with India to taking charge of Pakistan International Airlines and transforming it into a world class service and bringing out the best in sportsmen during his charge of Pakistan Cricket Board, the Hockey Federation and the Squash Federation.
The documentary also included the brief quotes from officers who had served under Nur Khan, friends and former civil servants and generals - Sahibzada Yaqoob Khan and Talat Masood - all describing him as a fighter, leader and a patriot who had well thought out his life and given directions not just to men but to major institutions.
"He was a man of unbounded vitality," said former bureaucrat Roedad Khan. Air Vice Marshal (retired) Farooq Umar recalled breaking sound barrier twice on the command of Nur Khan before the war to scare the Indians.
