Syed Manzoor ul Hassan Hashmi
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Syed Manzoor ul Hassan Hashmi | |
|---|---|
 F-6 Aircraft in Jhelum City mounted by PAF authorities in memory of Ex-Wing Commander S M H Hashmi | |
| Born | March 31, 1936 |
| Died | December 20, 2000 (aged 64) at Holly Family Hospital Sattellite Town Rawalpindi, Punjab |
| Era | Modern era |
| Region | Pakistan |
| School | Muslim. |
Main interests | Flying, poetry, philosophy, sufism, Hotel Management. |
Life history
According to a lectern near F-6 Aircraft mounted by PAF authorities in Jhelum City:
"Wing Commander (Retd) Syed Manzoor ul Hassan Hashmi (late) son of a school teacher Syed Abdul Latif Shah, was born on March 1936 in Village Raiya Chak Maddu of Jhelum. S M H Hashmi completed his early education from Government Islamia High School Jhelum.
In October 1954, he joined Royal Pakistan Airforce College Risalpur, along with 23rd GD (P) and was commissioned in 1957. For his outstanding performance during training, he was awarded "Sword of Honour" after graduation. He served as a fighter pilot in different fighter Squadrons.
Wing Commander (Retd) took active part in Indo-Pak wars of 1965 and 1971. During the Indo-Pak war of 1965, he displayed exemplary performance and flew 20 strikes and 2 air defence missions against the enemy. On 21 September 1965, his formation achieved remarkable success in which he destroyed many heavy guns of enemy which were targeting Lahore. For his courage he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurrat.
During 1971 war while commanding No. 23 Squadron, he displayed exemplary leadership flying an F-6 aircraft. He shot down an Indian SU-7 aircraft."
Misfortunes
He while serving as Wing Commander had been expelled from PAF and convicted including other personnels from Armed Forces during Bhutto era incriminating a case of overthrowing the then Government to be noted as ATTOCK CASE although, during General Zia-ul-Haq regime, was released by pardoning his remaining conviction period by then President.
Attock Case
According to a depiction in a Urdu book titled "My Popular Law Cases" (میرے مشہور مقد مے) under the heading (کیسی سازش) (See pages 385 to 401 of its 4th addition published in 1997) authored by S M Zafar a Senior Lawyer of Supreme Court of Pakistan, formerly a Federal Law Minister and Parliament Affairs and now a Senator:[1]
“By June 1973, investigation of an important but a secret case had been finalised. The accused of this case were imprisoned in a special Jail at Attock Fort who were officials retired or serving in Army in different ranks. The total number of the accused were 59. According to the charge, above accused, between 20 August 1972 and 30 March 1973, plotted a cunning conspiracy at Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar to over throw the Government of Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. To accomplish this, they by their joint planning and with the help of other Army Units, made a plan to wrongfully confine the President of Pakistan, the Governor of Punjab, a few Ministers and the Chief of Army Staff on the event of Army Parade during march past saluting to the President. After their confinement, the accused had to ask the National Assembly to hold election for setting up a new Government. Meanwhile, the Government was to be run under the policy of revolutionaries. Thus the above accused were charged under section 121 (a) of the Pakistan Penal Code in addition to Section 31 (a) of the Pakistan Army Act for plotting a conspiracy to overthrow the Government.
A General Court Marshal was set up by a notification of Federal Government on 09/07/1973. Raja Mohammad Anwar Advocate was representing the prosecution side whereas the Councils of Accused included Mr. Manzoor Qadar, S.M. Zafar advocates and others. General Court Marshal consisted of 7 members, General Zia-ul-Haq being the president of the Court and Brigadier Jahandad, later to become the Governor of Sindh, as one of its members. Major accused included Bragadier F.B. Ali, Colonel Abdul Aleem Afridi, Lt. Col. Wajad Ali Shah, Captain Nadir Parvaiz (Sitara-e-Jurrat), Major Afzal Mirza, Captain Farooq Nawaz Janjua (Sitara-e-Jurrat), Captain Saeed Akhtar Malik, Captain Tariq Parvaiz, Captain Muneer Rafi and Captain Muhammad Asif Shafi etc. Captain Saeed Akhtar Malik was a son to General Akhtar Malik who had been killed in a recent aerial accident. The case was heard on day to day basis and concluded within 3 months although judgment was later announced in March 1974. Many of the accused were found guilty and convicted for different periods including lifetime imprisonment for two major accused. My two clients were released being not guilty.”
Personnel from Airforce were tried at Budh Bhair Peshawar including Mr. Hashmi.
As the above case had been heard in a special Jail at Attock Fort where all the accused were detained, therefore, this case was generally quoted as Attock Case while reporting in newspapers and latter to be called permanently as Attock Case in the historical notes.
Latterly
He served as Director Personnelle at Riyadh Minhal Hotel in Saudi Arabia afer his release from Jail and spent his last period at his accommodation in Satellite Town Rawalpindi.
Death and Burial
He died of sudden Heart Attack on 20 December 2000 at Holly Family Hospital Satellite Town Rawalpindi at the age of about 64 years and now lies buried in the graveyard of Village Raiya Chak Maddu. His burial village is located at the distance of almost one kilometer west of Combined Military Hospital Jhelum.
Mounting of F-6 Aircraft in his Memory
In June 2001, an hollow F-6 Fighter Aircraft was mounted in a triangular park of Jhelum Cantonment near GPO Jhelum by then PAF authorities in memory of Mr. Hashmi in a scheme to place such disused planes in different cities in recognition of PAF personnels who rendered prestgious services during the wars in 1965 and 1971. Credit of this mounting of F-6 aircraft goes to Mr. Amjad Ali Toor Squadron Leader (R) then Deputy Commissioner Jhelum who suggested to the PAF authorities, used his connections in PAF and continuously corresponded till approval of installation and mounting of F-6. Mr. Amjad Ali Toor claimed to be trainee and reletaive of Air Vice Marshal Arshad Ali Toor then Base Commander Chaklala Rawalpindi who had been trainee of Mr. S M H Hashmi. To see satellite image of mounted F-6 aircraft, click at: F-6 aircraft in Jhelum City on wikimapia
Gallery
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A lectern near F-6 aircraft mounted by PAF authorities in Jhelum City -
A lectern near F-6 aircraft mounted by PAF authorities in Jhelum City
See also
- Raiya Chak Maddu
- S M Zafar
- Jhelum Cantonment
- Military College Jhelum
- Sitara-e-Jurat#List of recipients
References