ARSHAD Sami's soul departed his temporal abode on June 22 at Mumbai (in the home of his son Adnan Sami). For me it is a tragic refrain to write an obituary for someone so much younger, a gentle soul, packed with élan, who fought on my wing in a real war like a true warrior.

Arshad Sami was a man of many seasons. An intrepid fighter pilot, he flew the most war missions in the 1965 war in the entire PAF and most deservedly earned a gallantry award of Sitata-i-Jurat. That award ceremony was to change his life.

Ayub Khan, while pinning the medal on his chest, decided in his Mughal munificence to have him as his aide. Arshad was unhappy for being taken away from what he loved most — fighter flying. I was livid to lose one of my best warriors to such an innocuous option.

Arshad excelled in that ordeal and remained as aide to three controversial presidents. After a short stint with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he was seconded to the Foreign Service, first as the chief of protocol.

He must have been the most popular protocol chief in our history.

Propelled to ambassadorial assignments, he did Pakistan proud in many countries. But the devil was suddenly smiling as the evil dictator Ziaul Haq did a hatchet job on Arshad's carrier on the odious grounds that he was Bhutto's aide.

I had pleaded his case with Gen Chishti (from Zia's powerful cabal) once at the NDC, imploring him not to be vengeful of gallant men who had to serve wherever they were ordered, and told him of Arshad's valiant past in the PAF.

His arrogance spilling over his moustache, he had said “A. Cdre Haider, you have done your bit to defend a former colleague but we have no compunction for these PPP smart alec whizz-kids and loyalists. They are out and will remain out.” Or words to the effect. Arshad fought his battle and I supported him much as I could.

Finally, Arshad ended up as the GM of Khaleej Times in Abu Dhabi. But his battle raged on and he finally won his place and status back with the GoP.

Here he became a federal secretary for Information and other assignments till his retirement.

Arshad Sami fought all the way into the dusk of his life and back to the Creator through a prolonged illness, but never lost his smile or faith.

He authored the book Three Presidents and an Aide, a must read book.

Our last encounter was just before I convinced him to go with his son Adnan Sami and give himself a chance with change in environment.

It was memorable hours for him, me and all the family as he recounted the 1965 war in high decibels as though telling death it was too frail to frighten him, he had seen it before and had called its bluff. May his soul rest in heavenly peace.

AIR CMDRE (r) S. SAJAD HAIDER
Islamabad