A REPORT in your ‘50 Years Ago Today’ column of May 8, titled ‘Touching scenes mark Azam’s farewell tour’, described how the residents of the then East Pakistan bade goodbye when the governor of the province, Lt Gen Azam Khan, was returning to the western wing after completing his tenure.

It says that “touching scenes were witnessed when thousands of people, grim and gloomy, some sobbing and crying, bade him farewell at Barisal and Chandpur. These had included the young and the old and, when the steamer carrying him slowly moved off, ‘tears rolled down the cheeks of some, while some hid their faces with handkerchiefs and cried. Still others waved in silence, expressing deep sorrow at the departure of the man who had infused a new spirit and a new life in them”.

The silence was broken occasionally by some people saying, “Don’t go, Azam! Come back, Azam! … don’t leave us like orphans; we had great hope in you”.

Later on, while addressing a farewell reception at Dhaka University, having been its chancellor, the general called for allout efforts to achieve economic freedom and that education was vital for economic freedom. He also urged the teachers to take particular care of the children whom he regarded as ‘the most beautiful wealth’.

If our leaders had treated the East Pakistanis as compassionately and lovingly as Azam Khan had done, it would have continued to be a part of Pakistan.

It had been rumoured then that president Ayub Khan was upset by the great popularity of the governor and felt threatended by it, seeing him as a potential rival of the future.

Whatever be the truth, we must now learn lessons from the wonderful gentleman’s example. Today, Balochistan appears to be in a situation approaching that of 1971. KP and Fata are in flames too. We need leaders who can treat the Pakistanis, especially the younger ones, with similar affection and kidness, if we are to avert a repeat of the past tragedy.

Meanwhile, Victor Hugo’s words come to mind:

To the world you may be but one person.

But to one person you may be the world.

What a grand thing, to be loved!

What a grander thing still, to love!

Gen Azam must have meant a world to countless of our East Pakistani brothers and sisters. It has also been said, “Bein g deeply loved summons your strength; loving deeply summons your courage,” (Lao Tzu). If only our leaders of today and tomorrow would learn from it!

KHALID CHAUDHRY Karachi