Malaysian
Air Force Chief visits ancestral home in Pakistan
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
chief Gen Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan described his recent visit to his
ancestral village in Pakistan as a deeply sentimental experience, marked by
nostalgia and euphoria.
Asghar, 58, visited Beer Village in
Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during his official trip to Pakistan for
the International Defiance Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 in Karachi. The
unplanned visit to his family’s village, approximately 100 km north of
Islamabad, became a heartwarming reunion with relatives and locals who welcomed
him with open arms.
Read More PIA
adds 11 new routes in cooperation with Malaysian Airlines
“I felt overwhelmed by the
hospitality extended by both the officials and the people of Beer Village. It
was a profound moment to reconnect with my roots,” Asghar told Free
Malaysia Today (FMT).
His visit was facilitated by
Pakistani defense and security officials who, upon learning about his heritage,
arranged for a helicopter transport and full protocol to Beer Village. There,
Asghar visited family homes, met relatives, and paid respects at the graves of
his ancestors, including his grandfather, Malik Qalandar Khan, and uncle, Malik
Muhammad Yaqub.
“My father, Goriman Khan, was born
in Beer before migrating to Malaya, where he served in the police force. This
visit allowed me to honour his legacy and my family’s heritage,” Asghar said.
Read More Malaysia’s
Batik Air starts direct air link with Pakistan
Accompanied by his wife, Bibi
Nasratjahan Gulab Khan, whose family also hails from Haripur, Asghar shared a lighthearted
moment about the village’s name. “Despite its name, Beer Village has no
connection to the beverage,” he quipped.
During his visit to Pakistan, Asghar
was inducted into the Air War College’s Hall of Fame, having completed a course
there between 2007 and 2008 and earning a Master’s in Strategic Studies from
Islamabad University. He also met with Pakistan Air Force chief Air Chief
Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu to discuss joint exercises, training, and
enhanced defense cooperation.
Read More Malaysian
authorities impound PIA airplane over payment dispute
Asghar toured various defense
facilities, including the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, the
Cyber Command Headquarters, and naval aviation centres. He highlighted the
potential for collaboration in air power, tactical-combat flight training, and
maintenance.
“Pakistan’s advanced defense
capabilities and training modules offer valuable insights. Strengthening this
partnership can enhance our operational excellence and deepen bilateral ties,”
he noted.
Asghar’s visit underscored the
enduring bond between Malaysia and Pakistan, blending personal heritage with
professional collaboration, making it a significant milestone in his career and
life.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/