The eve of Course Mate
Jalal HB’s visit to Lahore called for something special — a quiet, heartfelt gathering of old comrades. The Lahore Chapter always upholds this cherished tradition. Thirteen brother officers (Khaled Javed, Zahir Khan, Qazalbash, Fazal Chaudhry, Muhammad Athar, Youns, Saleem Sarwar, Tassawar, Israr, Abdur Rehman Dogar, Atiq Shah, Haider Raza, and yours truly) from the Lahore Chapter of the 55 PMA Long Course came together at Wing Lee, DeSOM, for a memorable dinner. A few brought their better halves, adding to the warmth of the occasion.
Wing Lee’s cozy red ambiance set the perfect stage. Over steaming plates of fragrant Chinese cuisine, our two tables filled with laughter, stories, and the easy camaraderie that only five decades of shared history can forge. From PMA days under the drill master SM Bashir to the battalions and army schools that followed, every tale carried the weight of friendship and mutual bonding.
Jalal’s impending arrival hung in the air like a promise of more such evenings. We raised a toast — to the new leaders of the Lahore Chapter, to absent friends, to our enduring bonds, and to the quiet pride of wearing the same course number. Moments like these remind us why the Long Course is more than a badge; it’s a lifelong fraternity.
Until the next reunion, 55 PMA.
Posted from Lahore, with gratitude to Saleem Sarwar and Tassawar for hosting us.
Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, November 03, 2025,
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While planning for life after retirement, great boxer Muhammad Ali Clay decided to write his reminiscences and announced well thought out plan to pen down his memoirs. "Will you write yourself," after verification of the celebrity's plans a keen journalist asked Clay. "It is very difficult to write about self," he added. "Yes. That is why I will write about myself because who else knows me better," spontaneously responded Clay.
Things have changed far too much too fast. Writing about self no more seems difficult in this digital age. Exploring unlimited cyber expanses these days one cannot move much without reading variety of profiles, personal ads and statements. Readers soon are lured (or need) to upload their own, exceptions apart. Glut of matching and dating Websites (it seems as if every one in the world is 'single' and 'looking' out there) encourage and offer guidelines to write and some social networking sites also provide descriptive questionnaires or fill in the blank forms asking users to select what is most appropriate options about their appearance, interests, age, activities, likes and dislikes and some time more intimate things. This is one of the biggest trends not only in youth trying to extend their social circles and grab some attention but also for many others. Sophists article reads, "Almost 150 million people visited online dating sites in the month of January alone."
Read more »Labels: Chasing Life, Profile
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, November 01, 2025,
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Some places are so idyllic and unspoiled that it is almost unbelievable. One such place is picturesque, tranquil and pollution free town Garam Chashma (meaning hot spring) in at the edge district Chitral. The very sound of it is (sort of) strategic - the role Garam Chashma played during Russian occupation in Afghanistan not very long ago. The town is located on the bank of a turbulent torrent known as Luthko Gol that is full of trout; about two hours drive from Chitral City.
As the Fokker Friendship hovers over
Chitral before committing to landing, one can see the beautiful sights through window of small aircraft: red roof houses dotted on the hill contours, alpine trees, and fruit orchards. Chitral airport is built in one of the serene gorges of the River Kunar. I stayed at the deepest place in district Chitral known as Mir Khanni - over seventy kilometers from Chitral. As per the plans that I had made to see different sights in Chitral valley during free brakes in the schedule of my assignment, I boarded a passenger Mazda that was ready to go to Garam Chashma right from the airport early one April morning.
Labels: Chitral, Garam Chashma, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, October 30, 2025,
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For the past two years, the Lahore Chapter of 55 PMA had been facing challenges that disrupted its usual rhythm. Traditional gatherings faded, and the vibrant community spirit we all cherished began to wane. This decline was keenly felt, even at the central level.
Taking the initiative, our big brother Asif, along with Ikram, stepped up to organize a heartfelt get-together at Lahore Greens. They used both 'tact and persuasiveness', as noted by Tariq Fazal. The response was overwhelming, almost every member attended, many accompanied, reigniting the sense of camaraderie (sons of Alizai and Waqar added to this sense).
The event was more than a reunion; it was a moment of gratitude. A big note of thanks and admiration went to Zahir and Athar, who had tirelessly conducted course events over the years with exceptional dedication and finesse. Their leadership set a gold standard that inspired us all.
The core purpose, however, was transition. It was time to hand over the baton to a new group of volunteers capable of upholding, and ideally elevating, the chapter’s legacy.
As Baqar aptly put it, "We must also thank Saleem Sarwar, Akbar Ali, and Tasawar for accepting the responsibility. I wish them great success in their new roles, something many of us had turned our eyes away from.”
With fresh leadership in place, the Lahore Chapter is poised for a strong comeback. Here’s to renewed energy, active participation, and traditions that will thrive once again.
Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, October 29, 2025,
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Punjab is a gold mine for history seekers and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. What is more, people of the area are eager to help – on their own expense - when you ask anybody. One finds volunteer 'guides' who were forth coming with wealth of information. The distances in the hinterland are short but the landscape is so enormous that it had to be studied in parts like a large mural seen by a child.
Given the history and heritage, it is easy to fall in love with ‘out of the way’ town like Malka Hans. Once an abode of Waris Shah, who stayed here and composed universal romance Heer Ranjha, malka hans is still serene, tranquil and pollution free. Legend has it that Malik Muhammad (alia Malka) who was a member of Hans tribe founded the town some 700 years ago. Hans became powerful when Mughal King Alamgir conferred a vast land around Malka Hans on Sheikh Qutab Hans. In 1764, Muhammad Azam who was the descendant of Qutab Hans became head of the clan. Ran Singh Nakka treacherously took Muhammad Azam prisoner where he died in confinement.
Labels: Punjab, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, October 28, 2025,
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Labels: About, Urdu Blogs
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, October 20, 2025,
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Jamil Bravo (Canada Waley) is back in Pakistan, and oh, what a heartwarming sight, after half a century of unforgettable associations — through the highs, the lows, the laughter, and the tears that bound us like family — today, a cherished piece of the Lahore Chapter 55 PMA Long Course reunited at Bundu Khan, Liberty Branch (now in its new spot).
Someone wisely whispered, "Gathering here at 8:00 AM, given our age? That's a true blessing we must cherish with grateful hearts."
Khalid Javed, our steadfast hero, pulled off the magic: Younis, Mujeeb, Mahmood, Haider Raza, Chaudhry Fazal, Nauman, Tassawar, and yours truly, together for a sumptuous breakfast overflowing with updates, stories, and that irreplaceable warmth of 50 years woven into every bite and every word.
A massive, emotional thank you to Khalid Javed — you've kept the flame alive.
I must say, though, ‘with tears in my eyes,’ the Lahore Chapter once reigned supreme in welcoming every guest and celebrating every milestone with unmatched joy. But since Zahir Khan and Muhammad Athar stepped away, things just... aren't the same.
Here's to more mornings like this, holding onto our golden past.
Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, October 18, 2025,
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To-ing and fro-ing, at times zigzagging, in Punjab introduces wonders and legions of what may be called the middle ground of cultural fusion of the present Punjab. The area is a gold mine for history seekers, and spiritual and curious travelers. You may find much more than what you hear or read. It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people.
People of the area are eager to help “at their own expense – when you ask anybody. One finds volunteer ‘guides’ who are forthcoming with a wealth of information. Chillianwala is a historic village that played an important role in the history of South Asia. It was a battleground where British and Sikh forces fought one of the decisive battles in the history of the Subcontinent in 1849. The quiet village has not changed much since then. Only slowly old agricultural methods are changing and tractors and wheat threshers are seen in place of bull-driven ploughs. Painted double-story houses are coming up where used to be conventional mud houses. The land is excellent with record carrying capacity and the display of seasonal crops is very powerful.
Read more »Labels: Chillianwala, History, Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, October 11, 2025,
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Village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka - a cluster of mud and brick houses - looks like any typical Pakistani village. The fact is that awareness, community work and use of appropriate technology has changed the village all together. Influence from Indus civilization from nearby Harappa and modern techniques brought by use of appropriate technology can be seen in the village together.
The toys and handicrafts made in the village are on display in international museums, prestigious galleries and showrooms in Pakistan and abroad. Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) got an international fame when village project
Thatta Kedona (meaning toy from Thatta) was selected as one of the 767 worldwide projects presented in the "Themepark" at global expo in Hannover (Germany) as an example of thinking of twenty first century. The toys and handicrafts from TGD show how culture goes beyond simple work of art and becomes collaboration among applied and natural sciences as well as other forces that affect our lives.
Thatta Kedona is a project, first of its kind, in rural area where handmade quality toys are crafted using all indigenous materials and traditional designs based on cultural and folklore themes. The workmanship of the dolls and toys has acclaimed international recognition through their participation in numerous international events, exhibitions, fairs and displays. These toys are the embodiment of dreams, hopes and most of all self-reliance of the hands, which breathe a part of their own soul into them.
Read more »Labels: Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, September 24, 2025,
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Gowalmandi Food and Heritage Street has become an enriching experience in Lahore. It is a wonder what a few million rupees spent on the renovation of built heritage with balconies and angular projections lining the street some years ago have done to the ambience of the street. Lahorites have already (and justifiably) stated comparing it with lanes in Rome, Paris and Athens. More so during Jashn-e-Baharan.
Sizzling spicy foods on display in Gowalmandi reminds of what Vasco de Gama shouted after setting his foot on South Asian soils on the dawn of May 21, 1498, "For Christ and spices!" No data for consumption of spices in Gowalmandi Food Street are available but a proprietor of one of the biggest shops in the street told, "On the average I sell about 120 Kilograms mutton and over 40 kilograms of chicken every day. People prefer to eat mutton karahi and chicken barbecued. A milk shop proprietor said, "My daily milk consumption - in the form of chilled milk, yogurt, Kheer, khoya, lassi -- is over 2000 kilograms."
Read more »Labels: Food Street, Heritage, Lahore
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, September 22, 2025,
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Village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka - a cluster of mud and brick houses - looks like any typical Pakistani village. The fact is that awareness, community work and use of appropriate technology has changed the village all together. Influence from Indus civilization from nearby Harappa and modern techniques brought by use of appropriate technology can be seen in the village together.
