Please describe your parents and their influence on GA’s perception/personality?
Our father Haji Hamid Khan Alizai belonged to Alizai tribe of D.I. Khan. He joined 15th Lancer as a veterinary doctor immediately after World War I. Later he joined Remount and Veterinary farms where he served till his retirement in 1957. He was deeply religious, very honest, absolutely forthright in expressing his view, always ready to help poor and needy. With his limited resources he gave us the best of education. He always insisted that we earn our livelihood with honest means, to do our work with devotion and always speak the truth.
Our mother was a simple lady. Despite the fact that she was not educated, she was very active supporter of our father in providing us the best of environment at home, so that we could concentrate on our studies. Our mother was a very contended person with lot of patience. In very difficult situation and moments she always kept her poise and grace. We were six brothers and two sisters. GA was third last. I will very frankly admit that he excelled from all of us in his personal qualities. In fact out of all of us brothers, and sisters he had inherited more qualities of both our parents.

Please tell us about any incident in GA’s early years that left a lasting impression on his personality?
There may be minor incidents which must have affected his behaviour or thinking. I do not remember any major incident which had made any special impact on his personality. As said earlier he was much influenced by the personalities of our parents.

How was his student life?
Throughout his student life he did well and managed good results. He was not a very bright student. He was regular in his studies and respectful to his teachers. GA was such a pleasant personality that he always made friends very easily. He was always ready to help his class fellows and friends. He was expert in telling jokes and would always keep all those around him happy and laughing.

Any teacher who played a decisive role in formation of his perceptions/convictions?
He was respectful to all his teachers and tried to learn from them. I do not think there was any particular teacher who played any such role. As said earlier he was much influenced by the personalities of our parents.

How was his PMA tenure?
In 1967 he joined 8th War Course PMA. There was lot of pressure on PMA to train officers to meet the requirements of the army after 1965 war expansion which had taken place. Regular and war courses were being run concurrently. PMA was stretched to the limits. PMA environments were not the same as are available during the training of regular course. This is what one of his platoon-mates in PMA says about GA “A strikingly handsome young boy with very fair complexion and almost blond hair was centre of attraction in his course. He had an extremely graceful and dignified carriage with lot of poise and a very beautiful way of conversation. GA had a superb sense of humour. With his cute and typical remarks, no one was spared. But surprisingly nobody ever reacted rather everyone enjoyed his jokes and satirical remarks. He was always attired in smart outfit, may it be uniform, mufti, slacks or sports gear. He looked distinctive and stood out among the whole crowd. None of his course mates ever found GA in a bad mood or uttering anything undesirable or below the dignity of a gentleman.”
“The entire PMA staff including Mess waiters, bearers and other such people immensely liked him for his decent habits, friendly behaviour and conduct above board.”

Q. Which arm of the army was his first choice?
Because of our family links with 15 Lancers, GA being a good rider and being much fond of adventure and always willing to take initiative, he liked Armoured Corps.

What did he say about the 1971 war as he saw it?
In 1967-68 army was consolidating in the light of the experiences of 1965 war. Despite the weakness displayed by leaders at higher level with few exceptions, it was the junior leadership of the Pakistan Army which had brought grace to the Armed Forces. The success Pakistan Army achieved in 1965 were mostly at Coy/Bn level. Similar situation was there in 1971. The senior leadership failed miserably to deliver. The junior leadership again rose to the occasion. The main reasons were, firstly there was no formal grooming/education system of formal training for senior leadership, secondly the senior leadership was involved in non-professional activities due to army involvement in civil affairs. This made the senior leadership very weak link of the army leadership. The result was in front of us in Dec. 1971.

How was the 1977 Martial Law viewed by the young officers?
The dialogue between the Govt and opposition had been completed. An agreement had almost reached, only minor details were to be sorted out. It was felt that there was no need to impose martial law. The political parties should have been allowed to workout the final agreement.

Please tell us something about his service profile?
GA joined 30 Cavalry after passing out from PMA in 1969. He stayed in the unit for 3 years. During this time he held various appointments as troop leader, Sqn 2IC, Adjt and Sqn Commander. In the beginning 1971 he was posted to Sialkot as 2IC MP unit. During his stay in the unit he attended basic courses with good grades. After completing his ERE as 2IC MP unit he was posted back to 30 Cavalry in 1974. During this stay he performed duties as Adjt and Sqn Comd. In 1978 he attended Command and Staff College, Quetta. From Staff Course he was posted as G-2 (Ops) of Armed Div in Kharian and later was posted as BM Indep Armed Bde Gp. After completing his tenure as BM he was posted back to his unit. On promotion he took over the command of his unit. After commanding his unit he was posted as AMS in MS Branch, GHQ. In 1988 he attended the war course and on completion of war course he was posted GSO-1 of an Infantry Division. On promotion to Colonel’s rank he was posted as Col Staff Armed Div. He was promoted to the rank of Brig and took over command of an Indep Armed Bde Gp at Lahore. In 1991 he was selected to head the Indep Armed Bde Gp which was sent to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War.

The speed with which this brigade was organized, converted on new equipment and took up position in their operational sector was very much appreciated by US Cent Comd and the Saudi authorities. The Saudis recognized the leadership qualities of GA and awarded him a special medal. He brought this brigade back to Malir. After sometime he was posted as COS, Quetta Corps. In 1994 he was selected as COS with UN mission in Somalia. On his return in 1996 he was promoted and took over the command of an Armed Div at Multan. After two years command of the Armed Div he was posted DG W&E. After sometime he was shifted to ISI. On promotion to the rank of Lt. Gen. he was posted as COS to the President.

What were his impressions about operational level leadership in the 1971 war?
As explained in answer to a previous question GA also thought that the senior leadership of the Pakistan army failed to deliver and whatever face saving was there, it was all due to gallant actions of junior leadership.

How did he find his ISI career?
He was on a very sensitive assignment at very critical moments of national history. Due to his very firm faith in destiny, being very straightforward, very objective in his outlook and with the prayer of his all dear and near ones, he succeeded in handling various crises.

How did he come to know Gen Musharraf?
GA was a very well-known AC Officer and as he held very important appointments in the Pakistan Army, he was generally well-known. Gen Pervez Musharraf as senior officer had interaction with GA at various professional and service matters. The Gen definitely knew GA quite intimately once GA became Brig and was posted on some very important appointments.

What were his views on his job as PSO to the President and Chief Executive?
GA accepted this job as a challenge. He always tried to give very objective analysis and frank opinion to the President on all issues. People with apposite views and opinions were handled by GA with such understanding and warmth that they all came out with respect and affection for GA. This attitude and approach of GA made his job easy as PSO.

Above all Gen Musharraf also appreciated these qualities of GA which made GA work with complete understanding with the President.
In the President’s own words at GA’s Qul viz.
(1) He had no ego problem. (2) Spoke on everything with very strong conviction. (3) Had a great desire for justice being imparted and (4) He was President’s confidante, a colleague and a friend.

Question asked from Mrs. GA.
What are your impressions about your late husband?
GA was definitely a very caring husband and a loving father for his children. He always gave priority to my and children’s needs over his own. He always gave due importance to my views on various family issues. All matters related with the children were always discussed openly by him with the children. He insisted on very high moral standards. He wanted his children to make mark with their hard work and not by their father’s position.

Question from Brother (Brig (Retd) Mushtaq Ahmed)
You had a very long and memorable association with GA, would you like to tell us something very personal as an elder brother an when do you miss him a lot?
GA was not only a younger brother but a friend. We always discussed problems confronting both of us or any member of the family. We used to have very frank discussion on various issues. I always found him to be frank, straightforward and very objective. He always gave priority to the needs of others over his own. He was always very respectful as a younger brother. At times even when I was harsh he never complained. I do miss him very badly and feel lonely, but that is how life is. God bless his soul and help us follow the honest and dignified way of life he led.