Maj Raja Nadir Pervaiz has been a role model for many young officers. His bravery and selflessness have few equals. dJ is proud to interview this soldier turned politician.

Remembering Our Warriors
Maj (Retd) Raja Nadir Pervaiz, SJ

Tell us something about your father, his background and how he joined the Quaid-e-Azam’s Movement for Independent Pakistan. What were his experiences when he was elected to the Assembly in West Pakistan?
I was born shortly before Pakistan came into existence — a time when the Freedom Struggle was in full cry and efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had begun to bear fruit and an independent Pakistan was around the corner. My father was as I gathered from him was in his formative years and was deeply imbued with the ‘Two Nation Theory’ at the time he was studying in Government. College Lyallpur, led the Muslim Student community from the front in support of the Quaid. He was one of the founder members of the Muslim League — fortunately for him, it then did not have many factions to make a choice from. He was chosen/appointed as leader of the Muslim student community in Lyallpur — at the time of referendum in Frontier Province he led a contingent of Muslim Leaguers and students to Peshawar to canvass for the province to join Pakistan. He played a very dominant role there to keep the Congressites including Bacha Khan, Wali Khan stalwarts at bay in spite of the advantage to them of the home turf. On return to the home town he was duly jailed on flimsy charges. The then Deputy Commissioner of Lyallpur tried to bribe him by making an allotment of 10 squares of prime agricultural land. He disdainfully declined and earned their wrath — by continuing in jail. Those were heady days — an agitation was launched by the Muslim youth which ultimately ended in his honourable release. He after this incident emerged bigger than life figure. The Muslims of the district started looking towards him for leadership which was provided till his departure into the Hereafter (May his soul rest in peace).
Much to his chagrin and distaste cracks started to appear in the party which created Pakistan. Factions started to appear because of vested interests which included the feudals, the newly arrived immigrants (Mohajirs) who wanted to grab and control everything — including the civil services being more educated than the locals and great influx of the displaced embittered and badly bruised people.
Quaid did not live long and his successors could not handle the situation. Democracy was nipped in the bud Constituent Assembly was dissolved — and the constitution framed by them was never given a chance to be implemented — then started an unending period of make and break of the Pakistan polity alternated by civilian and military governments — this seesaw struggle resulted in the break -up of Pakistan.
The period of his membership of the West Pakistan Assembly remained very uneventful as Ayub Khan and Nawab Kalabagh did pretty much as they pleased — the assembly was just a rubber stamp — most members sold their willing support to the powers that were in return for grants and favours that saw them grow rich — richer and richest — some of the present day so called industrialists and feudals belong to that era. My father stood steadfast on his principals and shunned every offer and every bribe offered — Our family worldly possession point of view had not made much progress. We were middle class then and are still there may be a shade lower.

What are your earliest recollections about life in your home? Tell us something about you as a student? What were your political views as a young man?
The environments in which I grew made me a diehard Pakistani and Muslim Leaguer to the core. As a kid I joined the village School, sat on the mats, learnt my lessons which I remember to this day. After two years in the Primary School, I shifted to Pakistan Model High school near the Clock Tower of Lyallpur.

Tell us about your selection in the Army. What are your recollections about life at the Cadet College Hassan Abdal and thereafter at the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul?
I studied till class VII in Model High School and then joined Cadet College Hassan Abdal —whereafter having completed my studies joined the Pakistan Army. As a student I hated anybody who backed out of commitments or betrayed the trust. I hated back biting and never reported on others to the teachers. I had the good or bad habit of sorting out most problems at my level. I was an outstanding sportsman, a good student who respected his teachers — and seniors and looked after his juniors. I held top appointments in the College and participated in extracurricular activities like sports, debating etc. I am, was and will always remain a Muslim Leaguer.
All the good or bad habits as perceived from various platforms I carried along from Cadet College Hassan Abdal. The family and then College were great places for having been appropriately groomed to step into practical life. I carried my attributes and characteristics of standing up for righteousness irrespective of the consequences a family trait. Life at the academy was no different than that it was at Cadet College Hassan Abdal, only little tougher. I have a bad habit of being intolerant to nonsense due to which I suffered. As a result of my qualities of head and heart from a plain GC I became BSM passed out high and joined one of the best units in the Pakistan Army — with malice to none — I still maintain I joined the best unit in the Pakistan Army — 6th Punjab.

Any special memories about your teachers or friends who, in your opinion, may have had an impact on you?
As I have already said the greatest impact has been of my father and family — and the extended family was Cadet College Hassan Abdal. There the principal, teachers and the adjutant had a great deal of impact on with an ability to fire, right from the shoulder without fear of consequences. All these qualities I had imbibed and add to it the family background, it sure was a recipe for success — I also unlike my peers had the gamblers instinct to take chance and the urge to excel.

Tell us about your impressions on joining your first Unit?
I joined 6 Punjab in Quetta with Lt. Col. K. Rabbani the Commanding Officer, a very hard task master, and some of my
college mates as company commanders and company officers. I straight away settled down to good soldiering — and in my exuberance had a few street fights with youngsters trying to belittle the army — a fact which was unacceptable then and is unacceptable even today. I would still do the same if someone were to belittle the army — in spite of some reservation about the army of today.

You took part in the Rann of Kutch War in 1965. Tell us about your experiences during this war?
Soon after joining the unit it was moved to Rann of Kutch in April 65. at the time I had a broken arm as a result of an accident. I volunteered to go along with the unit in spite of the disability. It would not be possible to go into details of the operation —suffice it to say that I yet again volunteered to go out frequently on patrolling and kept the enemy patrol, I personally captured an enemy officer and six other ranks. On yet another occasion I volunteered to go and raid an enemy position behind the enemy lines. I took a fighting patrol infiltrated through the lines, raided the position, killed almost everybody on that post and destroyed the ammunition dump, and water tank (a valuable commodity in the desert) and brought back the raiding party safely. For these acts of gallantry and bravery I was awarded an SJ. The first on a fight on the international border. The activities of 6 Punjab as a whole and individuals in their different capacities raised the morale of the unit sky high and they were reaching for action — 6 was the front line unit which captured the dominating pt 82 of Rann of Kutch — which led to its fall ultimately.

How would you sum up the 1965 War as you saw it, from your own perspective?
Operation Gibralter had led to the outbreak of hostilities in Kashmir and the Indians struck at the places of their own choosing. Pakistan Army crossed over into Held Kashmir in Chamb-Jaurian Sector — 6 Brigade along with 6 Punjab moved to the sector to reinforce the division fighting there. Immediately on arrival we relieved the unit in line and having stabilized the situation our unit assumed offensive and captured a village on the right bank of River Chenab about 2.5 Km from the Akhnur Bridge — the same was visible from that point. Another push and we would have captured the bridge — but man proposes and God disposes — ceasefire was ordered — and it remained a bridge too far. I would say that the 65 war was a complete success, we fared very well in spite of numerical inferiority in land, air and sea. Indians were beaten comprehensively in all spheres of activity.

Tell us about your tenure as Instructor/Adjutant in the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA).
After the war of 65 the unit reverted to peace location in Kohat. Where I was made to do my basics and some other courses. In April 68 I was posted as Platoon Commander to PMA. I ran a couple of war courses and then became the Adjutant of PMA. It was very gratifying to be an instructor at the academy. Whatever I had acquired in life till that time I could pass on to my cadets and groom them to become first class soldiers and leaders of men. It was very heart warming to see many of them rising to dizzying heights — becoming Brigadiers and Generals and recipients of gallantry awards. Even today when my students meet me in their seniors capacities and at different tiers of command I can see fire, that light in their eyes. You know I lit that fire.

During the 1971 war you were posted to the Eastern Theatre with 6 Punjab Regiment. You led an operation and cleared up a stronghold of Mukti Bahini in the Barisal Sector. Please tell us in detail about this operation?
I was Adjutant PMA. When on completion of my tenure I was posted to my parent unit — 6 Punjab. It was on its way to East Pakistan. We were airlifted to Dacca. We had hardly settled down when we were asked to combat insurgency in the Barisal Area. It was a tri brachical operation in which Naval Gun Boats, Paratroopers (SSG) and 6 Punjab (2 Coys) led by me participated. We were disembarked from a ship in the face of enemy fire and under the covering fire of the gunboats commanded by now Admiral Taj Khattak and an SSG detachment led by late Brig TM. Frankly speaking after a while we were on our own — we surrounded the stronghold, captured quite a few insurgents and the remainder slipped out in the cover of darkness, we were the first to open Barisal from the stranglehold of the insurgents. Gen. Irshad Hussain and Zia Ur Rehman (Both became presidents) escaped that night from Barisal.

What are your impressions about the Mukti Bahini? How would you rate them as they fought against you?
The insurgents were mostly trained and led by the Indians. They never got involved in a pitched battle. They were faceless, cruel and merciless, they were therefore, accordingly dealt with. Traitors remain traitors more so when they were led, backed and helped by the Indians. Indians are doing to them what they did to West Pakistanis.
After the declaration of war the full impact of the distance from West Pakistan and absence of supporting arms and services was felt. Both these operations are littered with individual platoon and company level acts of bravery and valour. Fighting slowly we fell back under the juggernaut of Indian armed forces from the front with insurgents acting as guides and being used as fifth column in the rear — Pakistan army or whatever was left of it fought on, heavily outnumbered, and outgunned on all counts. In spite of such heavy odds we maintained a semblance of order and discipline, unmatched and unseen in the history of Indo-Pak. We at no stage lost balance. Officers at the Junior level refused to ceasefire. It was done after a lot of persuasion and cajoling by the senior officers. It was, therefore, a couple of days later that we in 6 Punjab Regiment accepted whatever was in store. The last salvo was fired by us and white flag was raised by an Indian Army company commander who was under our fire and mercy. We spared them.

Please let us know the circumstances under which you were taken Prisoner of War (POW)? What were your experiences as a POW? Is there any special incident that you remember in the POW Camp concerning your colleagues?
We stashed a large number of serviceable weapons underground, to be used for a last ditch battle if necessary. Indians knowing that 6 Punjab and its officers had a will of their own, treated us with respect and maintained a distance and disallowed the insurgents to come anywhere close. After a few days we were taken by road to a railway station near Calcutta, we entrained and were brought to Northern Command Headquarters. After a couple of days stay in the transit POW camp we were shifted to Fatehgarh POW camp 45 — which would remain a nightmare for the Indian Army. As the only successful escape, planned and successfully executed took place here — and it was done by the 6 Punjabis led by me. Life was normal and we did not want to arouse their attention and acted in a manner which gave the impression that here was a harmless lot of officers. We reinforced this impression whenever opportunity offered. So much so that one day the POW camp commandant boasted that it was well highly impossible to escape from the camp. We readily agreed — the man gave a very cynical laugh — but as it turned out we had the last laugh. He must still be living to his regret.

You had planned and organized a successful escape from the POW Camp. Please tell us how you planned and managed this daring operation? Who were the other officers who took part in this escape?
It is a very long story which needs a separate sitting. Suffice it to say that I along with some officers of 6 Punjab Regiment planned this escape. After having been denied all options of escape — we decided to tunnel — with a kitchen knife and a pointed steel bar — unbelievable, but a fact. Security of this operation was of utmost importance which was given due attention. Dispersing of the dug out earth, covering the manhole, procurement of cement and sand for camouflage etc were taken care of by me. We dug a tunnel about 150 feet long — with vents for breathing and resting etc. We had to deal with snakes and scorpions and I was always there to deal with them. We escaped on the evening of 17 September 1972 — went to Bombay to catch a neutral ship — failure to do that took us to Katmandu from where we made it back to Pakistan — during this period many a times we narrowly avoided arrest and chase by the Indian Security Forces. We stayed in India but on the move for about three weeks — in spite of their best efforts the Indian Security agencies could not get us.

What were your feelings when you finally reached Pakistan and the Pakistan Army?
When I reached Pakistan I was absolutely ecstatic for many reasons. Getting back home, getting back to the army to fight yet another battle as and when it comes, and besides many other reasons, it was resounding slap in the face of the Indian army and a lesson for the youngsters in Pak Army — never to give in and those who dare win.

You were arrested and tried in a Military Court for Involvement in the Attock Conspiracy Case. Could you please tell us something about the events, which led to your arrest, your trial and release from imprisonment?
Hardly had I arrived and re-started again and within 3 months was arrested again. For me it was a journey from a prison to prison. This time the prison was a fortress, and the charge was conspiracy. We were treated disgracefully, arrested in the middle of the night. Hand-cuffed and taken to the new prison. I was involved because I happened to know a number of other officers who were arrested — and to my lasting misfortune I hosted their stay in my premises — even the Chowkidar was framed for the same offence. The whole idea of my arrest was to show the involvement of a foreign hand and we met the bill. We had just escaped from a high security POW camp — which they clearly doubted — and assumed that we escaped with the connivance of the Indians. Therefore, I was suspected of heading the conspiracy. The period was the aftermath of the fall of East Pakistan and there was too much talk about taking the senior commanders and planners to task who had brought about this disgrace. Senior officers were publicly criticized even on their face. Such a situation could not be tolerated for too long. A plot was hatched and the outspoken — lot of professionals. Officers were arrested, framed, tried and convicted —unfairly barring one officer who had escaped along with me — he was honourably acquitted and much against his wishes and on my saying so continued to serve - and rose to the rank of an Lieutenant General. All officers convicted were of the same stature and professional ability — given a chance we all would have risen high in the rank and file of Pakistan Army. But that was not to be. I got 7 years RI — went through 5 years and was released. General Zia-ul-Haq was president of the GCM. He meted outlandish punishments on the charge of overthrowing the government of
Z. A. Bhutto. The very same person did exactly, not only he overthrew him but hanged him. These are the vagaries of fate. On release from the prison, I picked up the threads of my life. Re-arranged them and chartered a new course for myself in a totally different direction. I joined politics and started from where my father left. I joined politics and started from where my father left.

How would you sum up your life in the Pakistan Army?
It was short, eventful, crisp and memorable. There was not a dull moment, if I were to be reborn again I would still opt for the profession of arms. Even today, I feel at home in a military crowd. I simply loved the army and would continue to do so till the end.

Let us now turn to your political life. How did you get involved in politics?
I was born into a political family — a family which actively participated in the freedom movement — and never have been onlookers in any election, whether at the local level or at the national — our family has taken care of the people and they always voted for us. We have always been in... when I came out of the prison, my father was bed-ridden due to an accident and the political field was wide open. My efforts at joining the PML were shunned because I was considered to be a new arrival on the political scene — the likes of Zahid Sarfraz blocked my entry — willy nilly I had to join Asghar Khan’s Tehriq-i-Istaqlal — and contested my first election from there. My father’s vote bank came back in full swing — I won the election and have been winning ever since barring once — when palace intrigues in ML prevented the high command to support me and give me the ticket — I lost, so did the ML candidate — and the PPP won for the first time in that constituency. I orchestrated their win.

You served as Minister of State for Interior during the Junejo era. How did you adjust in your first stint as a Minister? Please tell us something about your experience at that time?
On becoming the member of the NA I very soon made my presence felt and the importance of Faisalabad resulted in my getting the slot of Ministry of Interior — I was a new kid on the block and did not wish to push people around — I just bid for time, got on job training and remained under study to the Federal Interior Minister. We just implemented the policy — a difficult job — as the Provincial Governors, CMs were very possessive and would not let the interior ministry have say in their assigned parameters. Most actions were considered as interference — stepping on their shoes — so I just made do during this tenure.

What are your memories about Muhammad Khan Junejo?
Was my mentor and a colleague of my father in the assemblies — they were good friends. He was a thorough gentleman with a very calm exterior, a thinking mind and with great qualities of head and heart. He was never over awed by the high and mighty —always stood firm and undaunted against opposition. He was very soft spoken but meant every word he said. The likes of Zia-ul-Haq were completely by shaken by him. I still maintain very cordial relations with his family and always visit his home town and family on his death anniversary. A few more leaders in his mould and Pakistan polity would be absolutely neat and clean.

What were the circumstances under which you lost the Elections in 1988? What was the background for the friction that existed in the PML at that time?
As I have already mentioned ML got divided into two factions, one led by Nawaz Sharif and the other by Junejo. This tussle affected me besides many others. At the end of the day ML was the loser. Mantle of leadership was ultimately snatched away from June 20 and it became the fiefdom of the Kitchen Cabinet of PM Nawaz Sharif.

During 1990 you contested and were elected as MNA and served as Minister of State for water and Power. What were your experiences here?
I was a very experienced hand by then — I was really able to contribute Kalabagh Dam had became dormant. I activated it, got a thorough professional to lead the WAPDA — thing were taking a turn for the better. Motorway M-1 would have been under use. On 8 or 9th of October 1999, Mr. Nawaz Sharif and I had meeting with CEO of Beyinder the Turkish firm and prior to that Turkish President had visited —everything was fine — MI’s construction was progressing satisfactorily when the changed circumstances put everything in reverse gear. History will one day speak the truth.

How would you like to sum up your political career? What are your plans for the future?
I am a born fighter whether it is in battle with the Indians or on the political playground, heavy odds notwithstanding. Eversince I have joined politics I always believed in fairness in conception, planning and conduct. I have not made a penny in politics — I never accepted favours in cash or kind. I never went after worldly gains. My financial balance sheet would show diminishing returns after every election — others have been more enterprising, they emerged bigger and better financially. I would continue to serve my people as long as they vote me in power.

How would you assess the future of politics in Pakistan?
For the time being it is bleak. Pre-poll rigging, interference and support by the powers that be brought in a captured assembly, do not augur well. Politics has its own dynamics and tends to eliminate adventurists. At the end of the day people power will prevail.

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Major (Retd) Raja Nadir Pervaiz Khan
My father Raja Nadir Khan was an active Muslim Leaguer. He joined the Quaid-e-Azam Movement as a Muslim Leaguer. All agitations and protests in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad) were arranged by him. He organized the Muslim League in Lyallpur along with his colleagues like Mir Abdul Qayyum, Khawaja Ilyas, Sarfraz Khan Baloch and Mian Ata Mehmood. During Quaid-e-Azam Movement my father was arrested and sent to jail. The whole of Lyallpur City was closed down. He contested his first election as MLA in 1956 but withdrew on the request of then Chief Minister Mian Mumtaz Daultana, when he visited our village and requested my father personally. In 1967, my father contested West Pakistan Member Assembly seat from Lyallpur city and got elected on PML ticket.
At that time, Lyallpur was a stronghold of Sikhs and Hindus, and they use to hold regular rallies. My father use to organize rallies to counter their moves in Lyallpur along with other leaders and Muslim Abadi of surrounding villages. In Lyallpur city there were only two shops belonging to Muslims. Rest of the shops belonged to Hindus and Sikhs. The Hindu slogan at that time was as follows:
Jo Maange Ga Pakistan
Wo Jai Ga Qabrastan

Whereas the slogan of the Muslims was:
Le Ke Rehain Ge Pakistan
Bun Ke Rehe Ga Pakistan
Pakistan Ka Matlab Kia
LA ILLAH-HA-IL-LAHHAH
Right from childhood, I had high ambitions. I wanted to do something great. My ambition in life was to join Pakistan Army. I use to hear the tales of the family members who had served in World War II. That made me join Cadet College Hasan Abdal where basic military training was given to the students. Their dresses were also KHAKI as in the army. Serving army officers use to serve as adjutant of college.
I applied for Pakistan Army in 1959 and was rejected on medical grounds. When I came out of the office depressed and dejected, my father consoled me and said, “Nothing to worry about. Continue your studies and go abroad, complete your education and take care of your business”. My reply was very short, “I will not study, neither go abroad but only serve the army”.
I went into the appeal in Medical Board at Rawalpindi, which was at that time presided by General Mian. I was selected along with Khawaja Badar-ud-din and Mukhtar Shah. Khawaja Badar-ud-din later got the SWORD OF HONOUR from Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.
Another small incident at Hasan Abdal, when I failed in few subjects in the early days at Cadet College Hasan Abdal in 8th Class. Mr. Catchpole was the Principal. He called all of us, who did not do well in exams and carried out punishment of caning. As a young boy of 12/13, I was frightened when I entered his office. He said you have not done well in your exams, would you prefer to go for caning or the results be sent to your father. I was given a choice. I took the first important decision of my life. I said, “Sir, no caning. Please send the report to my father”. When I came home on holidays, I never wanted the report to be read by my father. Fortunately, I collected the report from the postman personally and never showed it to my father. This was a turning point in my life. When I went back to college, I repeated the class, worked hard, got first division in Matric and became Wing Commander of Aurangzeb Wing and Iqbal Wing. I got college Colour in three games, Hockey, Football and Basketball. The other two boys who got three colours were: Naeem Akhter Shaheed, who died in 1965 War and won SWORD OF HONOUR from Pakistan Military Academy Kakul. The second boy who was Javaid Iqbal Khokhar, who in the later part was captain of Pakistan Football team.
Ch. Naseer Ahmad was my mathematics teacher during my matric exams. He was fond of hard work, sincerity and commitment. Ch. Naseer Ahmad’s character gave me such an encouragement that under his guidance as my teacher and House Master, I did well in studies as well as sports. Another friend of mine, Muhammad Ghous Chaudhry, joined the Pakistan Air Force and is now living in Dubai and serving as instructor in the Royal Air Force. This friend was in constant touch with me even after school days and played a vital role in the Attock Conspiracy case, which I will elaborate later on.
Another class fellow, Mr. Saeed Mehdi joined Civil Services and served with Nawaz Sharif as Principal Secretary till 1999.
Another friend, Shahzad Hassan Pervaiz is Federal Secretary at Islamabad. Yousaf Kamal (class fellow) is again Federal Secretary in Islamabad.
Lieutenant General (Retd) Naseer Akhter was my senior in college and served with me in 6th Punjab Regiment. Brigadier Rashid again senior from Cadet College served with me in 6th Punjab Regiment.
I joined my unit 6th Punjab Regiment at Quetta in April 1963. On my first day GOC General Tikka Khan visited the unit and all the officers were lined up to receive him. Being a 2nd Lieutenant, the junior most, I was standing at the tail. His first question was, “Young man how much service you have got”. I said spontaneously, “Only three hours”. He gave a big laugh.
6 Punjab was an outstanding unit having excellent record in Kashmir War at partition time 1947-48. Captain Javaid Iqbal was awarded Hilal-e-Jurat during Kashmir War from this unit, the only Hilal-e-Jurat in the army as a captain. He was Shaheed, first from this unit in Kashmir War.
I participated in the RANN OF KUTCH in April 1965 as a Lieutenant. My right hand was in plaster as it was fractured during a course at Risalpur. The CO, Mian Muhammad Khan, called me and said that the unit is going to the border RANN OF KUTCH. Please report to CMH and ask about your fractured arm. You will not be able to participate. My reply was, “I joined the army only for this day to fight the Indians. And we will fight them with strength of character and faith in Allah. My fractured hand will not be a hindrance”.
At this reply my Commanding Officer (CO) allowed me to go along with the unit. Indians now moved in the RANN OF KUTCH, no man’s land. Our border posts were forced to pull back. Our unit was placed at RANN OF KUTCH near Vingy and Diplo. Army ordered raids to be conducted on Indian posts. I volunteered and with a platoon strength entered the Indian held area.

INTERVIEW LIKE INFORMATION OBTAINED THROUGH DISCUSSIONS CUM GOSSIPS.
(By Capt. (Retd) Shahid Mahmood)

The undermentioned information is being disseminated after having obtained his kind permission.

1. Marriage: Honourable Maj. (Retd.) Raja Nadir Pervaiz got married in 1970. it was an arranged marriage. In April 1971 he went to East Pakistan. Remained (POW) and escaped. After landing on homeland, he was involved in Attock Conspiracy Case and was jailed. In 1978 he started his family life as it should have been, he roared with laughter while telling me that he saw actual family life after 1978.

2. Children: He has four children (two daughters and two sons). Both daughters are married and both sons are studying in USA. The eldest son is 31 years of age.

3. Prediction of a Platoon Commander at PMA: One of his final term Platoon Commander (Col. Raza) wrote his pen picture just before the passing out parade of PMA, mentioning that “This officer will either win a Gallantry Award or will be Court Martialled.” While explaining this Raja Nadir Pervaiz and said
“and I got the both”.

4. Man of Words: He narrated that when 6 Punjabis were captured and made POW’s, the prisoners were being taken to Fatehgarh on a train. Raja Nadir Pervaiz tried to escape from the train. On some station the train halted for a short break. The Indian Officer Incharge of that prisoners’ train offered all of them
a cup of tea from the Scouts who were waiting for the prisoners on the station. Before they were offered tea an Indian NCO (MP Havaldar) arrived and said that tea is to be only served to Indian troops, not the prisoners. The Indian Officer Incharge argued but the effort was in vain. Indian Officer Incharge led all the POWs to a cafe and served them with a cup of tea. Raja Nadir Pervaiz gave a thought to his escape planning and decided not to escape since it might harm the Indian Officer Incharge. Next day the Indian Officer Incharge received an order from his higher Headquarters that all the windows of train compartments are to be sealed along with the doors. The doors are only to be opened on meal timings. The same was discussed by the Indian Officer Incharge with Raja Nadir Pervaiz and he responded that “anybody who could escape from the train is sitting right in front of you and it would have been done last night, don’t you worry nobody is going to escape from the train, I will make sure.” And it happened.

5. List of Companions who escaped from Fatehgarh.
a. Maj. Tariq Pervaiz (Now Lt. Gen (Retd)).
b. Lt. Shahid Ullah Jan
c. Lt. Shoukat Javed (Now DIG)
d. Lt. Jameel.
e. Capt. Noor A. Q. Khan
6. List of renowned cadets when he was PMA Platoon Commander/Adjutant Academy.
f. Present Commander 12 Corps Quetta.
g. Brig. Farrakh
h. Brig. Shoukat

7. Personnel Glimpses.
a. Tough taskmaster.
b. Man of his words.
c. Extremely assertive.
d. Brave and good decision maker.
e. Hard looking with an extremely soft human inside.
f. Risk taker when he makes decisions, does not look back and does not care for the consequences.
g. Looks after his colleagues, especially his Juniors.