Daily Times

KARACHI: Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman has said that enemies of Pakistan area united in hatching conspiracies against the country but they will fail in all aspects.

The Air Chief stated this while addressing a unique ceremony held at PAF Museum, to pay tribute to Air Commodore Sattar Alvi (Retd), a renowned war veteran of 1974 Arab Israel war who shot down an Israeli Air Force Mirage aircraft during an aerial combat in Syria. In this ceremony, he presented flying coverall (suit) of deceased Israeli pilot (Capt Lutz) to PAF Museum.

Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sohail Aman said that Pakistani is the ideological state made in the name of Allah and nobody dares to cast an evil eye on it. PAF together with sister services and the nation would thwart their nefarious designs and they would meet the same fate as always, he added.

He said that the PAF stands ever ready for the aerial defence of motherland on the strength of supreme sacrifices and professionalism of its valiant predecessors who paved the path of glory for this elite organization.

The Air Chief paid rich tribute to Air Commodore Sattar Alvi (Retd) and said that the heroics of legendary fighter pilot not only brought laurels to PAF but were also a source of pride for the entire nation.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman termed the flying coverall of the deceased Israeli pilot as a ‘War Trophy’ and was of the opinion that it was a valuable addition to the historic archive of PAF Museum.

Lauding Group Captain Hussaini’s art, the Air Chief said that his world-renowned aviation paintings manifest his earnest efforts towards preserving PAF’s accounts of professionalism, journey towards progress and supreme sacrifices made by our heroes for defence of the country.

He further said that the illustrious history of PAF depicted by Group Captain Hussaini would be a source of inspiration for the future generation and instill in them the spirit of nationhood. Air Cdre Sattar Alvi (Retd) is a celebrated fighter pilot of PAF who single-handedly shot down the Israeli mirage aircraft while flying a vintage Syrian Air Force Mig-21 aircraft, during 1974 Arab Israel war, and thus became the one and only pilot in the history with this rare feat. On this act of gallantry, he was awarded with Sitar-e-Jurat by Govt of Pakistan, and Wisaam Faris and Wisaam Shujaat by Govt of Syria.

Governor Sindh, Mr Mohammad Zubair was the chief guest at this historic occasion. On arrival, he was received by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.

On this memorable occasion, the chief guest also inaugurated the “Aviation Paintings Exhibition” with the theme “Pakistan Air Force – Defenders of Aerial Frontiers”. More than 300 pieces of Aviation Art painted by internationally acclaimed aviation artist of PAF, Group Captain Hussaini (Retd), would be on display for the general public.

Addressing on the occasion, the Sindh Governor said, “The nation must know the history and the contribution of the great heroes and we must acknowledge their courage towards this noble cause of bringing honours to the country.

Published in Daily Times, January 21^st 2018.