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Professor of Physics (1966-1981) and Naval Officer (1966-1971)
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Lt.Cdr. A.W.
Siddiqui
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By Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, 671/Latif
Lt. Cdr. Abdul Wahid Siddiqi (popularly known as A.W. Siddiqi) joined the college in
1966 as the Naval Officer. Upon his retirement
from the Navy in 1971, he opted to continue at
Petaro as teacher of Physics. He retired from the
college in 1981.
He was born on 1 June 1921. He was married
to Mrs. Mashkoor Fatima Siddiqui and had seven
daughters and one son - Major(R) Ahsan Siddiqi,
kit no. 7514
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During the 1960’s, the Adjutant of the college was
always a captain from the Pakistan Army. Pakistan Navy
was thus represented by a “Naval Officer” of the rank of
a Lieutenant Commander. It was only in the early 1970s
when Pakistan Navy took over the total management
control and the Army Adjutants came to an end, replaced
by naval officers.
I never
could truly figure out the real role of the “Naval Officer”
during the 1960s, since he was just a liaison officer between
the college and the Navy. Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi was our naval
officer between 1966 and 1969. Upon his
retirement from Pakistan Navy that year, he continued on as Physics
teacher at Petaro until 1981.
He then went back to the
Navy on contract as an instructor at PNS Karsaz until 1986. In
May 1988, he joined the St. George's School in North Nazimabad,
Karachi as Principal of the school. He then finally left in
1994 due to ill health.
He had B.Sc. and B.Ed.
degrees from Aligarh Muslim University and LL.B. from Karachi
University.
A.W.Siddiqi Sahib was another thorough gentleman. Always
smiling, he was an extremely friendly fatherly figure who we
could always look up to for any assistance, even though he had
no real role to play in our daily lives.
Despite
an arm’s length relationship, I am very fortunate to have been
so close to him. I will always cherish his memory. May Allah
grant him the choicest place in Jannah! He
died at Karachi on 14 December 1995 of a heart attack and
paralysis.
A.W.Siddiqi Sahib’s very simple prayer and wish for me tells a
great deal about the nature of this man.
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