Mr Hugh Catchpole Arrives
Mr Hugh Catchpole was born on 26 May, 1907, at Ipswich, a small town of a pretty rural county, Suffolk in England. He did his Masters in History from Oxford University. Before starting his career as a teacher he did some flying in the civil and played cricket for the Suffolk County Eleven. His enviable career in education spanned seven decades in the Subcontinent. He joined Prince of Wales' Royal Indian Military College, Dehra Dun (now Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in 1928 as an Assistant Master and went on to become the Principal on 01 October, 1948. He stayed back at RIMC even after independence till his contract expired in 1954.
The first Pakistani Air Chief, Air Marshal Asghar Khan and his successor Air Marshal Noor Khan had been his students at RIMC. At their request, he came to Pakistan, to become the founder Principal of Cadet College Hasan Abdal. He was still at Hasan Abdal when Air Marshal Asghar Khan handpicked him to join PAF Public School Sarghoda as Principal, in 1958. He stayed there till 1967 and then joined Abbottabad Public School as Head of English Department, a post he held till his very last. He died at the age of 90, on 01 February, 1997, at Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, surrounded by Rimcollians, Abdalians, Sargodhians, and Abbotonians, whose lives he touched and profoundly transformed. A funeral service was held at Christ Church of Pakistan, Rawalpindi, and then the body was taken for burial to Cadet College Hasan Abdal. As his body was being lowered into the grave, three buglers of the Pakistan Army sounded the Last Post. Standing to attention were numbers of Air Marshals, Generals and many other officers of the forces both serving and retired. They buried him with such honours as would be the envy of many.
Besides being an extraordinary educationist, Mr Catchpole was a humanist and philanthropist, who remained a bachelor throughout his life and financed many students' education with his scholarship funds in England, India and Pakistan. In his will he wished to donate all balances of his account to the institutions he had been associated with and be burried in Cadet College Hasan Abdal. Accordingly, all his life savings amounting to more than Rs. 8 millions were distributed among Ipswich School, Suffolk, U.K, Rashtriya Indian Military College Dehra Dun, Cadet College Hasan Abdal, PAF Public School Sargodha, and Abbottabad Public School; and he was laid to rest in Cadet College Hasan Abdal. Just 02 months before he died, he had to inaugurate a guest house named after him at Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun. He had given a generous endowment of Rs.1.5 million for the guest house and planned to shift there after retiring from Abbotabad Public School. However, life did not allow him to do so.
Honours of Mr Hugh Catchpole
Mr Hugh Catchpole was honoured twice by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth the Second (full name Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) of the United Kingdom. On 01 January, 1971, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The British High Commissioner in Pakistan Sir Mac Rae did the honours. On 31 December, 1980, the Queen awarded him Commander's Badge of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) also called the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. On 22 July, 1981, Mr Hugh Catchpole went to Buckingham Palace to receive it personally from Her Majesty the Queen. His niece Helen Catchpole and her son Richard Dodwell accompanied him.
On 23 March, 1979, the President of Pakistan General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq conferred on Mr Catchpole the award of "Sitara-i-Imtiaz" for his meritorious services in the field of education. Lieutenant General Fazle Haq (Late), his student from RIMC who was then Martial Law Administrator (Governor) NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtonkhwa) did the honours in an investiture ceremony held at Abbotabad Public School. In his speech he reproduced verbatim from Mr Catchpole's history notes at Dehra Dun to amuse the audience.
It is appropriate to mention that Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, his student from PAF Public School Sargodha also compiled a book titled "Mr Hugh Catchpole's Notes on English Grammar and Usage". The book was published by PAF Book Club and was distributed among students of PAF Public School Sargodha in May 2007. The Air Chief dedicated the book "To the loving memory of Mr Hugh Catchpole whose inspiring personality and thorough professionalism made many a student his devoted disciples".
On 15 June, 2007, the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf conferred on Mr Hugh Catchpole the highest civil award of Pakistan "Hilal-i-Imtiaz" posthumous for his incomparable, selfless and single minded dedication to the cause of quality education in Pakistan. The award was received by his great nephew Mr William Catchpole.
Birth Centenary of a Legend (1907-2007)
The year 2007 marked the birth centenary of the legendary British teacher Mr Hugh Catchpole. On 26 May, 2007, Pakistan Post Office issued a commemorative stamp showing Mr Catchpole wearing "Sitara-i-Imtiaz" and "Commander's Badge of the Order of the British Empire".Same day a documentary "The Life and Times of Hugh Catchpole" was also aired by Pakistan Television, directed and produced by Mr Mohammad Shafiq Sultan. The documentary traced the life of Mr Catchpole through the words and memories of his students. Mr Wayne Christopher Hignett then Principal PAF Public School Sargodha played Mr Catchpole and gave backend commentary in the documentary.
Four-day centenary celebrations were also held at Cadet College, Hasan Abdal from 11 to 14 June 2007. His student from PAF Public School Sargodha, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan-ul-Haq inaugurated the celebrations. On the occasion, a flag hoisting ceremony was held in which flags of all the participating institutions were flown; a marble bust of Catchpole was unveiled; and a coffee table book "Hugh Catchpole of the Subcontinent" written by his student from RIMC Commander (Retired) Arun Prakash Bhattacharya was released. The book attempts to piece together a story of the life of Hugh Catchpole from the cradle in England to the grave in Pakistan. It invites readers to share the ordinary life of an extra ordinary teacher, likes of whom one seldom finds these days.
Cdr (Retd) Arun Prakash visited the School for three days from 21-23 Sepetember, 2006. The sole purpose of his visit was to research for his book on Mr Catchpole. Being the pioneer Officer Incharge School History Room, the writer was detailed by the Principal to facilitate Cdr (Retd) Arun Prakash in his research. While departing he left a note of thanks on RIMC pad for the writer and Flt Lt Sabahat (presently officer incharge School History Room) for their whole hearted support. The note is given a due place in the History Room.
An Inspiration Unlimited
One of Hugh Cathpole's greatest contributions to the subcontinent is in the number of his students who went on to become high achievers in their respective professions. His students are spread across three nations: Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Together they take pride in calling themselves "Catchpolians". The list of his old students reads like who's who of the defence forces of their countries.
Among his students from RIMC in Pakistan are: the former Commander-in-Chiefs, Pakistan Air Force Air Marshal Asghar Khan (July 23,1957 - July 22, 1965) and Air Marshal Nur Khan (July 23, 1965 - August 31, 1969); the former Commander-in-Chief Pakistan Army General Gul Hassan (Late) (December 20, 1971 - March 3, 1972); Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (1976-1977) and Interior Minister of Pakistan (1993 - 1996) Major General Naseerullah Khan Babar (Late); Martial Law Administrator Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (1978-1985) Lieutenant General Fazle Haq (Late); and Foreign Minister of Pakistan (1982 - 1991) Lieutenant General Sahabzada Yaqub Ali Khan.
In India his students from RIMC include: three former Chiefs of Army Staff General Gopal Gurunath Bewoor (15 January, 1973 - 31 May, 1975), General Vishwa Nath Sharma (01 May, 1988 - 30 June, 1990), and General Sundararajan Padmanabhan, (01 October, 2000 - 30 Dececember, 2002); one former Chief of Air Staff Nirmal Chandra Suri (01 August, 1991 - 31 July, 1993); two former Ministers for state in Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet Maj Generals Shah Nawaz Khan and J K Bhonsle, and the current Governor of the state of Mizoram, Lieutenant General (Retired) Madan Mohan Lakhera (since 2006).
More among the top brass of Pakistan are: the former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (2004-2007), General Ehsan ul Haq and Vice Chief of Army Staff ( 2004 to 2007), General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, his students from PAF Public School Sargodha. Among Air Chiefs are: Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak (08 November,1994 - 07 November, 1997), his student from Cadet College Hasan Abdal; and Air Chief Marshals Kaleem Saadat (18 March, 2003 - March 18, 2006) and Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed (18 March, 2006 - 18 March, 2009) from PAF Public School Sargodha.
In Bangladesh too the former Chief of Army Staff, General Moeen Uddin Ahmed (15 June, 2005 - 15 June, 2009) and three of the former Air Chiefs: Air Vice Marshals Sultan Mehmood (23 July, 1981 - 22 July, 1987), Rafiqul Islam (04 June, 2001 - 07 April, 2002), and Fakhrul Azam (08 April, 2002 - 07 April, 2007) had been his students at PAF Public School, Sargodha.
It is difficult to make out who was more proud; the students of Catchpole for being taught by him or Catchpole, for having taught boys who later on became so successful. Whatever may be the case, it is obvious that Hugh Catchpole was and would remain an inspiration unlimited.
It is worth mentioning that none of Sargodhians lost his life during the September, 1965, war.
Revival of the Public School System
In 1990, a review of the PAF intake requirements was made, which highlighted the excellent contributions made by this College as a public school. It was, therefore, decided to revive the institution to its previous role of a public school, imparting education from class VIII to FSc to young boys who would join the PAF as fighter pilots and Aeronautical Engineers, and whose expenses would be borne by the PAF. Hence in 1990, the 94th GD (P) and 39 CAE courses became the last entries of aviation cadets to pass through PAF College Sargodha, to join PAF Academy Risalpur for further training.
On reopening of the College as a public school, all the eight student houses were renamed as Attacker, Falcon, Fury, Halifax , Mirage, Sabre, Starfighter, and Tempest. Two entries of 100 students each were inducted in the 8th and 9th classes in January, 1991.The entries were numbered as 23rd and 24th to mark continuation with 22nd, the last entry before transition. Later, the strength of the College was raised to 440.
Air Cdre Fareed Ali Shah (442-T), a former Sargodhian, was appointed as the Commandant to supervise the transition of PAF College Sargodha from a Degree Science College to a typical Public School from December 1987 to April 1991.He was followed by Air Cdre Bilal Ahmad Khan (461-F) from April 1991 to January 1993, and later by Air Cdre Imtiaz Hyder (457-T) from January 1993 to November 1993.
To achieve the objective of running PAF College Sargodha on the lines of a Public School system meeting the requirements of the military training doctrine, the Air Headquarters decided to appoint a very senior Sargodhian AVM (Retd) Raja Aftab Iqbal (119-F ) as Commandant of PAF College Sargodha. He took charge in November 1993 and continued to serve for a record period of eight years till November, 2001. During this time a number of projects were completed, providing the most modern training aids and implements for the College. These new additions included the latest WICOM language laboratory, a modern computer laboratory, an audio-visual room equipped with a multimedia projector, a well-built gymnasium and construction of new buildings for two student houses.
AVM (Retd) Raja Aftab Iqbal left the College in November 2001. His successor, another Sargodhian, Air Cdre (Retd) M Abdul Qadir Sargaana (T374-F), took over as Commandant in November, 2001. But soon the designation of Head of the Institution was renamed as the Principal. The present designation is more in keeping with the ethos of a Public School. The institution also resumed its old name of PAF Public School Sargodha. This name is more compatible with its envisaged role: the role of taking good care of the mental and physical growth of young shaheens, whose requirement at this stage is more of a humanistic education than of military regimentation .
Glider Training Resumes
Glider Training was resumed in 1993 by the then Commandant PAF College, Sargodha Air vice Marshal (Retd) Raja Aftab Iqbal. The functional control of Glider Training remained with the Commandant however; the operational control was shifted to OC No.38 Wing PAF Base, Sargodha.
The major boast was the induction of engine powered gliders. 04 SF-25 C Falke (SF: Manufacturer, Scheibe Flugzeugbau Falke: English, Falcon) German motor gliders were shifted from PAF Academy Risalpur to PAF Base, Sargodha. Of these Tail No 44143 needed major repair and was never used for training purposes. The 03 serviceable gliders Tail No 44140, Tail No 44141, Tail No 44142 were parked in Mirage periodic hangers.
SF-25 C Falke was a state of the art sail plane of its time. It had a forward fuselage with a large canopy and a two bladed propeller. It was a two-seat glider with dual control for the crew. Its 100 hp Rotax 912 S engine was fitted in its nose, and had an electric starter. Its nose wheel was almost double the size of tail wheel. It measured 7.6 m in length, weighed 335 Kg when empty, and had a wingspan of 15.33 m.
As regards its performance SF-25 C Falke could reach upto a speed of 190 km/h and fly upto 3 hours 30 minutes in a stretch. Its climb rate was 2 m/s and sink rate 1 m/s. Its maximum glide ratio was 22.
Gliding had started, and students would talk lavishly about it on their return from the Base. The writer got inspired and one fine morning made a request to the Commandant to let him go for a pleasure ride in "Falke". The request was generously approved. In the evening, after some procedural formalities the writer along with the Glider Instructor, Flt Lt Mudassir went to the Base and got air borne. While gliding, Flt Lt Mudassir kept telling about various sources of rising air used by the glider pilots. "The most common sources are: Thermals, the updrafts of warm air; Ridge Lift , the wind that blows against hills and forces the plane to rise; and Wave Lift , the standing waves in the atmosphere, similar to the ripples on the surface of a stream", he told. Flt Lt Mudassir also let the writer take control in air. It indeed felt great.
Syllabus for Glider Training
Gliding was introduced to the students of FSc Classes only. First year students were given theory classes only while second year students were given theory plus flying classes. Following lectures along with a composite quiz were conducted before flying training:-
- Basics of Flying
- Phases of Flight
- Different Instruments in glider
- Basic ATC (Air Traffic Control) Procedures
Flying classes were arranged 3-4 days per week, subject to the availability of runway and suitability of weather. During working days flying classes were arranged during afternoon. However, on weekends it was done mostly in the morning. 04 sorties of 15-20 minutes each were arranged per day. As such each month 16 students were able to fly.
All sorties were supervised by the Glider Instructor. No solo flying was given. Students were trained to do pre and post flight inspections and taxi out procedures. They were also given controls of the aircraft during gliding. However, take offs and landings were performed by the Glider Instructor himself. Following routine was observed during sorties:-
1st Sortie:
- Starting and Warming up
- Taxi
- Line up and Take off
- Climb
- Medium Level Turns
- Climbing Turns
- Effect of Controls
- Circuit Work
- Glide Demonstration
- Power off Descent
- Flare out
- Landing
2nd Sortie:
Students were allowed to take controls in air to develop a feeling of aircraft.
By the end of 2001, 688 students had done glider training; 846 sorties were flown, and 350:45 flying hours completed. Being an old vintage glider, SF 25 C now started giving recurrent maintenance problems. Eventually, it was decided that the glider training should be discontinued till the new gliders are purchased.
School History Room
History reminds us of our past achievements and deeds. It is the reason we build monuments; preserve manuscripts, save souvenirs and mementos that remind us of our glorious moments. Such a record needs to be saved especially. The idea was conceived by the then Commandant PAF College, Sargodha AVM Raja Aftab Iqbal (Retd).
On 12 November, 1998 the Commandant appointed Sqn Ldr M Shahid Hafeez the Officer Incharge School History Project. To start with two rooms in the Hobbies Club were merged to create space. Necessary renovation was done and show cases were built in the walls. Old magazines and Newsletters of Royal Pakistan Air Force Public School times were the first addition to the Room. Then some shields and trophies including Chigwell Shield were brought in. Besides briefs of Commandants and Principals of the School and some "Historical Firsts" were collected and engraved on steel plates to decorate the walls of History Room.
To further enrich the Room, letters were written to the concerned agencies, and retired and serving personnel of armed forces. Many of whom responded positively and resultantly a lot of information was gathered. The first major contribution was made by the then Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze Khan (69-Fury). He sent his working uniform and loads of mementos and souvenirs which were presented to him by services and organizations inland and outside the country. He also sent signed photograph in uniform for the History Room.
On 21 February, 1999, on the occasion of Sargodhian Old Boys' Reunion Mr Bakhtiar Beig Mirza (161-A), a highly spirited Sargodhian settled in Canada presented scores of historical pictures for the Room. It is so far the largest picture record contributed by any Sargodhian. Asad Habib (2210-Tempest) son of a war hero Wg Cdr (Retd) Tariq Habib (118-Tempest), also contributed a photograph in which his father was shown being decorated by Sitara-i-Jurrat by the then Commander-in-Chief, Pakistan Air Force, Air Marshal Noor Khan.
Things kept pouring in and the Commandant could foresee that the Room would soon be packed to the capacity. Hence he asked Sqn Ldr Shahid to chalk out recommendations for expansion of History Room for onward submission to the Air Headquaters. Meanwhile Military College, Jhelum had sent an invitation to the Commandant to attend their Platinum Jubilee from 19 to 20 November, 2000. The Commandant sent Sqn Ldr Shahid to attend the ceremony and especially explore their Museum.
On his return from Military College, Jhelum, Sqn Ldr Shahid brought home some new ideas for displaying the historical assets. He suggested that the Room may be divided into galleries for showing various eras of the School. He also suggested that the History Room should be shifted to some centre place, preferably the Academic Block. Being away from the School Headquarters and Academic Block it was seldom visited by dignitaries. Before the Air Headquarters could decide on expanding the History Room or changing its venue, AVM (Retd) Raja Aftab Iqbal left the College in November 2001. His successor, yet another Sargodhian, Air Cdre (Retd) M Abdul Qadir Sargaana (T374-F), took over as Principal. However, the School History Room remained eclipsed in the Hobbies Club.
On 16 June, 2004, Sqn Ldr Shahid handed over the School History Room to Flt Lt Sabahat Batool. It goes to her credit that she got the venue of History Room changed from Hobbies Club to the Academic Block. A formal approval from the Air Headquarters was sought for transforming old Mathematics Lab into School History Room. The old haggard look of the lab was changed with beautiful layout of glass showcases. All important documents and memorable items of prominent Sargodhians were shifted. Now visit of the School History Room by dignitaries was a made a regular feature.
The present day History Room is a brainchild of the sitting Principal Air Cdre (Retd) Tayyab Naeem Akhtar. Due to his patronage and personal involvement the History Room has become the latest and most elegant building of the School, worth visiting. Special emphasis has been given to the aesthetic outlook of interiors. The Room has been expanded further by merging the old Biology Lab and adjacent room. Some unique souvenirs have been added in the recent years like uniforms of former Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat (697-Fury), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsan-ul-Haq (589-Fury) and IG Police, Bangladesh; Commemorative sword presented by General Ehsan and a dagger presented by the former Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Salim Hyat (447-Sabre) are also showcased there. Arun Prakash, the celebrated writer from India during his second visit to the School presented his coffee table book "Hugh Catchpole of the Subcontinent". The accompanying Principal of Rashtria Indian Military College, Dehradun also presented his College Crest. These souvenirs are also on display in the History Room.
On Parents' Day held on 19 February, 2011 the expanded History Room was inaugurated by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, the Guest of Honour on the occassion.
The School Gets a New Look
A number of renovation and construction projects were completed during the tenure of Air Cdre (Retd) M Abdul Qadir Sargaana. Consequently, the campus acquired a brand new look. The School Mess got an impressive entrance aesthetically designed to please the eye with its cultural impact. The School Canteen also got a gorgeous new look with its trendy facade and interior. To add to its beauty a rainbow coloured gazebo was built in its lawn.
In Millinium year, a basketball court was built adjacent to the Canteen. It was demolished by the Civil Works Organisation to build the Golden Jubilee Monument at that site. To make up the deficiency, a new court with flood lights was built at the back of Fury House.
The four old Houses Attacker, Fury, Sabre and Tempest were given a better living environment with renovated bathrooms, changing areas and tiled floors. The electric wires were concealed and old steel almirahs were replaced with built in wooden cupboards. Starfighter and Falcon Houses were given separate entrances.
The Parade Square was turned into a mini stadium with four huge stepped enclosures to offer a better view and seating to the parents and guests on Parents' Day.
The School Library, too, was renovated. The floor was marbled and two beautiful galleries were added to make better use of space. The students were used to take their tea and snacks in the old car sheds near squash court. They were given a new tea break area adjacent to the library lawn surrounded by lovely Neem and Jaman trees. It's a spacious shed with electric facility.
To amuse the students during weekend cinema the School Auditorium was equipped with a state of art sound system. Besides, the walls were paneled and spotlights were fixed to boost the lighting of the stage. Since Kohat tragedy, it was named after Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir Shaheed and was called Mushaf Hall.
Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (615-Sabre) had granted 2.25 Millions to raise a well equipped Computer Lab at the School. The money was well spent and the students got their much needed additional lab for computer studies. The PAF financed lab was also upgraded with P4 computers.
The Golden Jubilee Monument
PAF Public School Sargodha completed its 50 years in 2003. To commemorate this landmark achievement a monument was erected at the School. The site selected was exactly where the millinium court of basketball used to be: adjacent to the Canteen. The Civil Works Organization (CWO) under the able guidance of Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (615-S) and Begum Lubna Kidwai completed the project. Inauguration ceremony of the monument was made part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations held from 11 to 13 October, 2003.
On 11 October 2003, around 1930 hrs, the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Mushraf's motorcade arrived at the monument site. The President was received by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, President Old Boys Association, General Ehsan-ul-Haq and Principal, PAF Public School Sargodha, Air Commodore (Retd) Abdul Qadir Sargaana. The President was then introduced to Patron Sargodhian Spirit Trust, Air Chief Marshal (Retd) Farooq Feroze Khan, Chairman Standing Executive Committee, Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, members of the CWO team and some senior Sargodhians from Bangladesh.
After the introduction the President was requested to switch on the lights and waterfalls of the monument. While pressing the button on, the President quipped in with his characteristic humour: "I hope I am not triggering a nuclear device". Next the President unveiled the inauguration plaque. After this the School Head Boy, Mohsin Javed, recited few verses from Holy Quran and offered Dua. After Dua the President was given a briefing on the monument and taken for a round of the monument.
The Golden Jubilee Monument is a superb piece of structure with an exotic landscaping. Inspiration of the monument comes from the Quranic Verse urging man to mould himself in the nature (Fitrat) of Allah. The verse set in Thatta stone against the fountain wall gives a deeper meaning to the School's motto "Aim High". The central art piece designed by world renowned sculptor, Anjum Ayaz, symbolizes the School's motto with a pen (Qalam) and a bird in flight. The central space is an octagon depicting the eight houses of the School. In the evening when lights and falls are turned on, the monument offers a dreamy romantic look.
On 19 September, 2007, General Ehsan ul Haq, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), paid his last official visit to the institution as he had to retire from the service on 08 October, 2007. In his lively, informal address to the young Sargodhians in Mushaf Hall, he told them that they ought to consider themselves lucky to be in an institution that changes the whole perspective of a person and makes him pursue the extraordinary in life. "You mustn't throw away this golden opportunity", he advised the avid listeners.
General Ehsan ul Haq also shared with the boys some of his fondest memories of his School days. He showed them the Glider Badge on his uniform which he got in the School and had become a permanent feature of his uniform since then. At the end of his address he presented a commemorative sword to the School. The sword has a special significance as it is presented to the counterpart of other countries visiting the CJCSC. The sword is on display in the School History Room. Soon after his address, he took a brief round of Fury House where he had spent his golden days as a student.
Air Cdre (Retd) Tayyab Naeem Akhtar, SI (M) assumed the charge of the School as the Principal on 01 November, 2009. Like Mr Catchpole, he was handpicked for PAF Public School Sargodha by the then Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hifazatullah while still serving as the Principal Cadet College Hasan Abdal. He has a very sound academic career having studied at the best educational institutions of the Country. He matriculated from our sister institution PAF Public School, Lower Topa, Murree in 1964. He went on to do his FSc Pre Engg from the reputed Govt College Lahore. He was commissioned in the GD(P) branch of the PAF on 30 June, 1968. He did various challenging service courses including 75th Advance Staff Course from RAF Staff College Bracknell, U K. He holds two MSc degrees in War Studies and Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-e-Azam University
Air Cdre (Retd) Tayyab Naeem Akhtar is a thorough professional and a commander with tremendous experience of command, staff and instructional assignments. He has been an accomplished fighter pilot, who has flown almost all the aircraft held on the inventory of PAF including F-16. He has commanded PAF Base, Kohat, College of Flying Training, Risalpur, and has also worked as Assisatan Chief of Air Staff (Training). His last posting was as Instructor National Defence College, Rawalpindi. After retirement, he worked as Director Administration, Shaheen Foundation and lately as Principal Cadet College Hasan Abdal for over three years.
Owing to his staunch repute as a professional and a commander with deep vision and wisdom, the School looks forward to even greater glories under his command.
"The oratory serves as a light, a guide to those who cannot themselves make sense of the chaos and look to a leader to point the way. Greeks considered the mastery of oratory an essential part of being a well-rounded man. They considered it the highest art which encompassed all other disciplines. They used it to portray their noblest sentiments, stir passions and emotions, and inspire virtuous actions". These were the concluding remarks of Principal PAF Public School Sargodha Air Cdre Tayyab Naeem Akhter on All Pakistan Declamation Contest (APDC) held on 10 November 2010 after a break of more than 20 years.
The APDC was a mega event that involved a lot of planning and ground work. Different committees were set up with specific tasks assigned to them. The writer and his team were assigned the job of setting up the stage for the contest. A grand looking panaflex replica of one of the paintings of great aviation artist of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Group Captain Hussaini, was prepared to adorn the entire backstage and the insignias of participating institutions were placed symmetrically to decorate the front walls of the auditorium.
The School played host to representatives from sixteen distinguished institutions from all over Pakistan. Attacker House being the School Declamation Champions for the year 2010-2011 were given the honour to conduct the English and Urdu round of speeches. Muhammad Umer conducted the English round whereas Waleed Shams conducted the Urdu round.
There were moments of great oratory that had an appreciative audience clapping like thunder. Military College Jhelum lifted the trophy while PAF Academy Risalpur emerged the runners up. Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, HI (M), TBt, Vice Chief of the Air Staff graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He encouraged the venture and hoped that the tradition would continue.
. On 19 March 2003, another Sargodhian, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat (697-F), joined the galaxy of four-stars and became Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. On 20 March, 2006, Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed (767-F) became the third Furian to have reached the status of Chief of the Air Staff. Air Marshals Masood Hatif, Shafique Haider, Aliuddin, Shahid Zulfiqar, Saeed Anwar, Pervez Akhtar Nawaz, Sarfaraz Arshad Toor, Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, Arif Pervaiz, Masood Akhtar, Raashid Kaleem, Hifazat Ullah Khan and Tahir Rafique Butt are a few of the old boys who attained the three star status and formed a luminous chapter in the history of PAF Public School Sargodha. Amongst them Air Marshals Masood Hatif, Shafique Haider, Aliuddin, Tanvir Mahmood Ahmed, Raashid Kaleem, Hifazat Ullah Khan and Tahir Rafique Butt have the distinction of becoming Vice Chiefs of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.
On 18 March, 2009 Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, HI (M), S Bt (851-Sabre/Rafiqui) was designated as the new Chief of the Air Staff, Pkaistan Air Force. He joined PAF Public School Sargodha through 17th Entry in 1967 and passed out in 1973. Thereafter, he joined Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur and was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force as a fighter pilot on 1 June, 1975 in the 59th GD(P) Course. He has worked on various command, staff and instructional appointments. He has commanded No. 15 Squadron, No. 31 Wing, PAF Base Peshawar and Southern Air Command. He has also served as Commandant Air War College and Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations). On 04 October, 2010 Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt joined him as Vice Chief of the Air Staff by replacing Air Marshal Hifazat Ullah Khan. That is to say the current command of Pakistan Air Force is in the hands of two Sabrites.
Also, in Pakistan Army Sargodhians have kept up their exalted record of excellence and proved that their quest for the extra ordinary is their ordinary business. General Ahsan Salim Hyat (447-S) and General Ehsanul Haq (589-F) rose to the coveted rank of four star General on 7 October, 2004 and were appointed as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee respectively. Additionally, Lt Gen G M Malik (57-A), Lt Gen Humayun Bangash (102-S), Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (615-S) Lt Gen Arif Hayat Malik and Lt Gen Safdar Hussain are some of the inspiring Sargodhians whose glorious achievements the young lot would love to emulate if destiny desired so.
Sargodhians in Bangladesh too have added proud feathers to their alma mater. Four of them, AVM (Retd) Sultan Mahmood (267-F), AVM (Retd) Mumtazuddin Ahmed (295-T), AVM (Retd) Rafiq-ul-Islam (693-T) have the distinction of being the former Air Chiefs of Bangladesh Air Force while AVM Fakhr-ul-Azam (694-T) is the present Air Chief. Maj Gen Amjad Khan Chaudhry (61-A), Maj Gen Muzzamil (65-F), and Maj Gen Moeenuddin Ahmed (815-F) are few other Sargodhians who have risen to prominent positions in Bangladesh Army. Maj Gen Moeen was elevated to the rank of Lt Gen and appointed as the Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army on 15 June, 2005. He later on added one more star to his uniform. He is the first Army Chief to have risen to the status of four-star General in Bangladesh.
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