At the very outset let me quip that he is not my real bhaijan but yet I am obliged to address him as such for at least two cogent reasons and not otherwise. He is born on 11th August 1943 whereas my date of birth is 15 December 1943 so he is four months and four days older to me. Secondly we both are Urdu speaking and you will bear me out that generally speaking Urdu speaking do not call the elders with their names and instead will use a respectful prefix like bhaijan, bhai saheb, bhayya etc but regretfully it is not practiced so rigidly by non Urdu speaking communities to address to their elders.

Having said so it is very much evident on the face of it that I have still great respect for our ex president though some of us who once had been blue eyed to him have started bickering against him if have not totally turned against him. However, one must very clearly define and distinguish between a personal affair and national obligation and to be very honest to you, this is exactly the crux of this writing.

Unluckily or even perhaps luckily I had never been in armed forces though had always been much impressed with its pomp and show and to tell you truth did aspire also to be in uniform if possible but one way or the other I simply did not even apply to join our armed forces. However, to the best of knowledge and belief, it is an internationally acclaimed practice that in case of an emergency and or an imminent threat, reservists and retirees are asked to report either to their respective units they belonged to or to the nearest armed forces office and I very seriously doubt if Pakistan could be an exception to the rule.

Who does not know that after Bombay blasts, India is continually threatening us to inflict surgical operations against the sovereignty of Pakistan? I do not want to be involved and dragged into the non ending discussion that it simply can not even dare to wage war against us, or for that matter, we will not only defeat but totally destroy India. Ever since, Bombay explosions, India has put its armed forces on high alert which is never ever a peace activity. Almost daily, if not hourly, Indian leaders whether Foreign Minister or Defence Minister etc issue threatening statements to thrust was on us. Just two weeks back two Indian war planes did penetrate into our territorial limits up to four nautical miles and though PAF jets did chase the intruders and forced them to quit but it proves that the situation is very much threatening. It has also been reported that India has already deployed extra military forces on Sind borders. The latest news is that India has suspended trade with Pakistan which quite admittedly is not a direct war activity but yet it gives you the clue as to what is India after.

Coming back to the caption itself, I am a bit shocked to know, unless my information is stale, that my bhaijan is still out side of Pakistan and strolling in UK but why and how. Is he exempted but under which law and clause not to be asked to at least report his presence? If you do not stone me, I will pronounce that as a matter of fact after hearing Indian threats, my bhaijan must have come back to Pakistan at his own sweet will and wish and publicly announced that voluntarily he is back in the country to fight out against our eternal enemy India. He is basically a professional khaki and that too of not less than the rank of COAS means that in the greater national interest of the country he must be inside the country and not outside. Some of you, if not all of you must be remembering when he said that uniform is my second skin and this is the best opportune for him to be truthful to his words unless it was nothing more than just a dirt cheap slogan.

It reminds of the days when late Saddam Hussain's Iraqi forces pounced upon tiny oil exporting country Kuwait in August 1990 and captured it. Quite naturally a number of Kuwatis fled from here and took refuge is other countries but at the same I personally know that some Kuwaitis employed by armed forces rushed in from overseas to meet the call of the time. It is of no consequence as to what could these returnees do against one of the mightiest forces but the fact remains that at the end of the day it is the individuals's spirit and not the physical strength which eventually counts.

Concluding I will say that my bhaijan responding to his moral and professional conscious must immediately rush back to Pakistan without caring the least whether Pakistan army needs you or not. I can bet my ob my life that your presence in Pakistan will be very much morale boosting for armed forces in particular and public in general. I can not profess about his future but there can be some possibility though remote that in recognition and reciprocation, my nation may install him back on the throne. Bhaijan do not miss the golden chance which is a blessing for you in disguise.

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With my honest and solemn prayers

Sincere Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait / zaidi_x_diplomat@hotmail.com