Writer: Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Javaid, AEC
He came, he saw, he conquered. This great quote of William Shakespeare truly applies to Lieutenant General Azam Khan (late) who earned the love and respect of the people of erstwhile East Pakistan, which none other could, earlier. Born on 1 August 1908 in Mathra near Peshawar, British India, young Azam was commissioned from Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in 1929. He served in Burma as a staff officer during World War II. After independence, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 1948, and later Major General in 1950. He served as general officer commanding (GOC) and martial law administrator of Lahore in early 50s. As a lieutenant general, he served as the first commander of the newly raised I Corps of Pakistan Army, in 1957.
General Azam was appointed governor of erstwhile East Pakistan in 1960. He won the hearts and minds of the people of the province through his kind heart and loving nature. During a brief period of two years as governor, he made extensive visits to far f lung towns and villages of the province, and interacted with the common man to understand his problems. He initiated many development projects with emphasis on education, for the uplift of East Pakistan. Being the chancellor of East Pakistani universities, he laid special emphasis on higher and technical education. General Azam established Graphic Arts Institute in Dacca, the first ever of its kind in the region. He promoted sports and cultural activities in the province. He brought hope and aspirations in the eyes of the people of erstwhile East Pakistan. General Azam worked hard during rescue and relief operations in Chittagong and surrounding areas of East Pakistan, when it was severely hit by a cyclone in October 1960.
General Azam received an unprecedented farewell from the people of East Pakistan on completing his tenure as governor of the province. His love and affection with erstwhile East Pakistan, and later Bangladesh, never ended. After retirement, he was offered to become high commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh, which he declined on the grounds that he could not become ambassador in his own country. This legend passed away in Lahore in 1994, but his memories will remain forever, in erstwhile East Pakistan.
