Daily Times

Ask any Pakistani of the current generation what Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is like and they will probably give thumbs down at best and pass on some curse words at worst.

Call it the curse of the millennials if you like but anybody who grew up in the earlier years of Pakistan will tell you what an astounding institution it once was. So it was only appropriate therefore that we go and directly interview somebody who was part of those days to give a firsthand experience. Step forward Captain ‘Johnny’ Sadiq.

Jan Syed Mohammed Sadiq – universally known as Johnny Sadiq- was born on 26th November, 1938 in London, United Kingdom (UK) to a Pakistani father and Anglo-Irish mother. Oh and if you still want more diversity, his wife is from Japan.

During his interview with the Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP), Mr. Sadiq was full of rich tales from his days with Pakistan’s National Airline. Considering that he spent 37 years there, one could not expect otherwise.

The 78-year old spent much of his childhood in the UK where he gained some initial education and grew up in a post-war atmosphere that Britain was experiencing at the time.

As his father – a doctor- was originally from Lucknow, he spent a few months there in the months leading up to partition. After again going back to the UK, his obsession to become a pilot took him from Britain to Pakistan in 1957.

Mr. Sadiq always wanted to become a pilot and it was no surprise therefore that he tried to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) of UK. However, as is commonly said, when one door closes, another opens. When he did not make it, he did not sulk away and Britain’s loss was Pakistan’s gain as the soon-to-be captain moved to his father’s country to try his luck with the PIA.

Rather than simply giving a generic version of what PIA was like, the captain gave us insight that otherwise is often overlooked. For example, he flew some of the most dangerous routes in the world such as Gilgit and Chitral. One can only imagine how remarkably competent a pilot had to be to ensure such routes were navigated smoothly. The buck did not stop here though. Back in the days of East Pakistan, he managed to fly to Dhaka in the most appalling weather conditions after thunderstorms in 1963 ensured the need for immediate assistance to the affected people there.

The Swinging Sixties was a time when PIA was ranked at number 3 after Swiss Air and Japan Airlines in the top airlines of the world by reputable international flight magazines. PIA flights arrived on time around 88 percent of the time and often arrived earlier than the required time! PIA also happened to be very popular with Jackie Kennedy.

All in all, this was a very impressive interview whereby Captain Johnny Sadiq passed on precious memories and stories that the current generation has not grown up with.

Text and pic by CAP