THIS is in response to Air Cdre (Rtd) Khayyam Durrani’s letter ‘Educators in the armed forces’ (Jan 24). I am also a retired education officer of Pakistan Air Force and in my 32 years of career I found this elite service some what different than what the learned Air Cdre notified upon.

In fact, Pakistan Air Force is a bunch of keen professionals hailing from different professions who are inducted, trained and groomed according to their professional requirement and not on the basis of any class or creed.

All cadres, including education officers, are provided equal opportunities to grow and excel in their respective fields and all those who take pride in their profession make the best use of these opportunities.

Rising of Air Cdre (Rtd) Khayyam Durrani, T I (M), to the rank of one – star general and his attainment of Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Education) post is a living example of such favourable environment and speaks loudly of educators’ status in the armed forces. It is worth mentioning that many of the fighting corps officers are unable to attain such heights and awards.

And very rightly pointed out by Muhammad Asif from Karachi (Jan 30) and Cdr (Rtd) Abdul Qayyum Khan (Jan 30) that the kind of respect outstanding education officers get from their students throughout their own career and careers of their students, no other group of officers can match that and, of course, a true sense of achievement and satisfaction for this corps also arises from the same.

A demotivated and unsatisfied teacher irrespective of his institution can never play a constructive role in ensuring a bright future for the nation.

I hope senior officers and the much respected like Air Cdre (Rtd) Khayyam Durrani understand this critical point and can still greatly contribute by projecting facts about what all they gained from their respective meritorious services. Narration of facts would certainly help junior officers to work with more enthusiasm and devotion.

And last but not least, had the educators not been treated respectfully in the armed forces, then most of the education officers, including Air Cdre (Rtd) Khayyam Durrani would not have been serving in the organisation, being patronised by the armed forces, even after their retirement. This speaks volumes for educators’ status in the armed forces.

MUAAZ SHAFI TARIQ
Rawalpindi