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Iqbal Kaimkhani moved to NY, USA after leaving
Petaro and eventually obtained his BS in
Aeronautical Engg from Oakdale Univ, NY, and MS in
Aeronautical Engg from NY University.
After spending 15 years in USA, he returned to
Pakistan and opted to join the Pakistan Air Force.
He was inducted into the PAF in 1983 after
undergoing a short course of 40 weeks due to his
qualifications and experience. He was given the
rank of Squadron Leader immediately upon joining.
His first assignment in 1983 was as Instructor at
CAE (College of Aeronautical Engg) at Risalpur in
the Industrial Engineering Dept. He then moved to
the Air War College at PAF Faisal in Karachi as
Instructor. During this course, he was promoted to
the rank of Wing Commander.
His last appointment before his unfortunate
accident and death was as the Officer Commanding
of the School of Aeronautics at Korangi Creek in
Karachi. His case was already before the Board for
his next promotion to the rank of Group Captain.
May Allah have mercy on him and his wife and grant
him Jannatul Firdaus.
Iqbal
KK - My Friend
by
Air Comm.(R)
Khayyam Durrani, 98/Jinnah
The very name of K.K. sends a shiver down my spine
and revives a panoramic view of images, memories
and happy moments that we shares together. That
Iqbal K.K. is no more with us and that we will
never hear the hearty laughter of K.K. is a never
shattering thought for me.
When we reported back to Petaro after the summer
break of 1961, the new entry had arrived and we
had become seniors. We looked at juniors with a
sense of superiority and were always on the look
out to find faults with them. But amongst them was
a lean and thin bespectacled fellow from Tando
Alllahyar who would never lose his cool and had a
perpetual smile on his face.
His cheerful style, keen sense of humour and above
all his warmth of personality attracted me
specially. I found a partner in him who could do
anything for his friends. Since both of us were
not very fond of PT, drill and other physical
activities, we would often manage to miss these
activities and while away time in gossiping and
lousing. He would never betray a friend - come
what may - was my firm belief. He believed in
taking life rather easy and was least pushed about
his dress, appearance and manners. But there was a
genuineness in his thoughts, actions and style. He
would not try to impress people by his thoughts
and philosophies but there was a deeper meaning on
all his words. We made very good friends during
our stay at Petaro and I would never forget that
wonderful trip we had to Kafiristan together.
Trekking through the snow covered Lowari top was a
tough experience for me and K.K., but K.K.'s
interesting anecdotes, witty remarks and cheerful
attitude kept our morale high.
After leaving Petaro, K.K. joined Government
College Phuleli for a short while and then we
heard the news that he had gone to America. We
remained in touch for some years but gradually
K.K.'s memory started fading. Time passed swiftly
and almost after a gap of 15 years, K.K. appeared
on the scene again to revive the memories of the
good old days. There was a bell on the door and I
saw K.K. standing with his typical smile. He had
returned from America and had joined PAF. Within
seconds we overcame the initial formality and were
on the same grid as we were in Petaro. K.K. had
not changed a bit. He was as carefree and jolly as
ever.
I
had found a lost friend and I always loved to be
in the company of K.K. whenever I visited Karachi.
I had many friends in the Air Force but K.K. was a
special friend. I looked forward to my visit to
Karachi so that I could get an opportunity of
spending some time with K.K. We never liked to sit
in the drawing room in spite of Bhabhi's
insistence and preferred to sit on the stairs just
as we used to sit on the stairs of Jinnah House
and repeated the same old stale jokes and
incidents. Iqbal had not grown and his company
gave me the feeling of being young.
K.K. is no more with us, and I have suddenly
realized that I am an old man. I can't talk to any
one the way I used to talk to K.K. and the hearty
laugh of K.K. still resonates in my ears. But I am
sure K.K. would welcome me with the same perpetual
smile in the life Hereafter. |
