THESE days numerous controversies are being aired about the causes of the 'Bahawalpur air crash'. The initiators are trying to convince the general public that the late Air Chief Marshal Zulfiqar Ali Khan had joined hands with India and Israel in a conspiracy leading to the murder of the Army chief and president of Pakistan.

The charge is based on the statement of a 'Pakistani-turned-Israeli agent', who was being interrogated for a failed attempt on Pakistani's nuclear assets.

Zulfiqar Ali Khan, my beloved uncle, was a man of highest integrity, a true patriot and was known to be a legend in the Air Force. I firmly believe that such a noble man could never indulge in a such horrific act, that too by joining hands with India (believed as enemy number one) and Israel!

I support my argument by referring to the rich tribute paid to his departed soul by the Air Force in their special addition (2005) of 'Shaheen Magazine'.

ACM Jamal A. Khan in his article, 'The Rebuilder' of the PAF after the 1971 war, bestows upon him the title of a true patriot. “He left his successor a full strength and a vibrant Air Force,” acknowledges ACM Farooq Feroze Khan. “His integrity was virtually above board,” declares AVM Abdul Rahmin Yousaf Zai.

“He was a legend as an officer of highest integrity and a gentleman of proverbial character,” recalls Air Commodore Sajjad Haider.

ACM Jamal A. Khan further recollects “Each (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Ziaul Haq) treated him with respect for his professional competence and integrity.”

After ACM Zulfiqar's retirement, when the US offered 120 modern F7s “as an offset for giving up the reprocessing plant,” he advised prime minister Bhutto “to reject A-7 offer, because Pakistan's nuclear programme should not for any reason be compromised”.

Further to the above, Gen K.M. Arif, Air Chief Marshall Saadat Kalim, Air Marshal Asghar Khan, Air Marshall Ayaz Ahmed Khan, Air Commodore Waheed A. Butt, Air Commodore Anwarul Haq and Squadron Leader Ghani R. Sabzwari from the forces, and former foreign ministers Agha Shahi, Abdul Sattar and retired ambassador Tariq Fatmi all paid very rich tribute to my beloved uncle in the very same magazine. In a parting remark, Air Commodore Aslam Bazmi glorified him as “ a leader with the heart of Gold. He breathed nobility all his life; too dignified to stoop low; too gentle to lose his calm”.

I request the readers to compare the above legend against the accusation of a 'traitor', currently serving his sentence for working to sabotage Pakistani nuclear assets.

I would also request the PAF to reproduce relevant articles of 'Shaheen Magazine' on their web site for the consumption of the general public.

BRIG (r) AGHA ALI HASSAN

Islamabad