Admiral Yastur Al Haq Malik: A Legacy of Integrity and Service

This is not a fairy tale, people like Admiral Yastur ul Haq Malik are needed in our beloved country. He was a scrupulously honest Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He comes from an affluent background. Y H Malik was from the privileged category of officers who served both in submarines and ships. Blessed with a charming personality, he was a true epitome of an officer and gentleman. He was always impeccably dressed, polite, and well-mannered.

Among his numerous outstanding traits, the most admirable were his honest and fair dealings. At this moment of time when materialism has taken deep roots, what I am about to narrate will make us all feel proud of Admiral Yastur ul Haq Malik N I (M), ex-Chief of the Naval Staff. He has always been a scrupulously honest naval officer. The following four examples would be enough to prove his honesty and integrity.

When he was Chief of the Naval Staff, his son got married. Presents were given in abundance and expensive ones too. A couple of days later, the Admiral with his wife visited each invitee, thanked them for their attendance, and returned the gifts stating that he had no resources to return such expensive gifts.

One day in Malir Cantonment (Karachi), his son-in-law asked his senior for permission to come late to the office. When enquired, he said he had to drop the Admiral and his family at the railway station to travel by Shalimar Express to Lahore. After retirement, he didn’t have enough resources to pay the airfare of the entire family.

On retirement, the Admiral got a two-kanal plot in Karachi. Since he wanted to settle in Lahore, he asked the Army for a plot. The Army allotted him a two-kanal plot. The Admiral returned the Karachi plot to the Navy saying it was no longer required as he had got his entitlement in Lahore.

When his house was constructed in Lahore, he could at that time furnish only half his house.

In a society so obsessed with status (in all its forms), it behooves us to realize that our true stature comes from our real possession — our character — which is a function and manifestation of our inner security and non-attachment (to materialism and classism, which have become so sacrosanct in our society).

Admiration for the Admiral is multiplied many folds in this era of materialism. He made no song and dance about his honesty or achievements. Like the honorable officer that he was, he just faded away. Look around and try to find someone like him.