In the infinite canvas of the sky, where winds whisper of freedom and destiny, there soars a force that embodies the very dream of Allama Muhammad Iqbal: the Pakistan Air Force. It is not merely a military institution guarding the nation’s airspace; it is the living embodiment of Iqbal’s Shaheen, the eagle of divine vision – a creature of light, courage and self-realisation that rises above the mundane world to touch the essence of eternity.
When Iqbal spoke of the Shaheen, he was not describing an ordinary bird of prey. He was sculpting a spiritual ideal – a believer whose heart is free from material desires, whose eyes see far beyond the horizon, and whose wings are strengthened by faith. In his timeless verse, he declared: "You are a Shaheen; flight is your destiny – there are skies yet waiting for you".
That flight – relentless, fearless and purposeful – is the very spirit that defines Pakistan Air Force. Every man and woman in blue is the living reflection of that Shaheen, trained not only in the science of aviation but also in the art of faith, discipline and devotion. Their wings are powered not merely by engines, but by conviction – the conviction that their purpose rises far above self-interest, that their duty is to defend the homeland and uphold its dignity with honour and courage.
Iqbal’s concept of 'khudi' – the self, or more profoundly, the realisation of one’s divine potential – finds its truest expression in the life of every air warrior. For Iqbal, khudi was not pride or ego; it was the flame of faith that transforms man from dust to destiny. It is the spiritual force that elevates the believer to the point where he becomes a partner in the creative act of God. As Iqbal wrote: "Raise your selfhood to such heights that before every destiny, God Himself will ask, ‘What is your will?’" This verse is not a poetic abstraction for those who wear the blue uniform but their lived creed. When a PAF pilot grips the control stick, gazes into the endless horizon and trusts his instincts amid the roar of wind and machine, he is enacting Iqbal’s philosophy. He becomes the Shaheen who trusts his khudi – not in arrogance, but in faith. His confidence is born from belief; his courage flows from discipline; his resolve is sharpened by purpose.
The history of the Pakistan Air Force is, in fact, a luminous chronicle of Iqbal’s dream taking flight. From the thunderous skies of 1965, when young pilots like M M Alam inscribed their names in eternity by downing 05 enemy aircraft in seconds, to the modern era of 21st-century warfare, the PAF has been the guardian of the nation’s honour and the embodiment of its spiritual strength. These eagles never fought for glory or gain; they fought for the sacred idea of Pakistan, an idea born from Iqbal’s very imagination.
Iqbal’s Shaheen thrives not in comfort, but in challenge. It soars higher when the winds are fierce. The same can be said of the PAF – tested in wars, tempered by crises, yet always emerging stronger, sharper and prouder. Its ethos is not built on fear of the enemy but on faith in destiny. Its doctrine is not aggression but vigilance and a readiness rooted in the belief that to protect peace, one must be prepared for sacrifice.
In the modern era, under the visionary leadership of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, the PAF has redefined itself yet again, blending technology with thought, strategy with spirituality and power with purpose. His leadership reflects Iqbal’s ideal of the Mard-e-Momin – the man of faith whose intellect is guided by divine wisdom and whose courage springs from conviction. Iqbal described such a man in his immortal lines: "The Creator’s thought is the summit of your flight; your dwelling is not just the mountain – the sky itself is your home".
Under ACM Sidhu’s command, the PAF has embraced Iqbal’s principle of perpetual ascent. From mastering the concept of Multi-Domain Precision Warfare to strengthening the Kill Chain that ensures operational dominance, the PAF has transformed into a modern, adaptive and visionary force. Yet, its foundation remains deeply spiritual; its strength is not merely in technology, but in the unwavering faith of its people.
Iqbal’s message to the youth was clear: rise above the world of comfort and complacency; seek the heights where the soul communes with purpose. That message echoes daily in the corridors of air bases across Pakistan. The young cadet at Risalpur, the pilot on a dawn sortie, the engineer fine-tuning a jet engine – each embodies the flame of Khudi that Iqbal lit over a century ago. They are dreamers and doers – those who see no boundary between earth and heaven, because their faith has taught them that impossible is merely a word for those who have never tried.
Iqbal’s Shaheen does not build nests or rest in valleys. It belongs to the mountains and the skies. Likewise, the PAF does not seek comfort or acclaim; it seeks purpose, challenge and excellence. Its culture celebrates merit and integrity, its doctrine rests on intellect and innovation, and its spirit flows from Iqbal’s poetry – Eternal, Fearless and Divine. When crisis strikes – whether in conflict, calamity or challenge – the PAF leads from the front. Its leadership does not command from behind; it flies alongside. From humanitarian relief sorties to wartime operational missions, the PAF remains the guardian of hope and symbol of national resolve. Every sortie it flies, every mission it completes, is a verse from Iqbal’s poetry written in the language of courage.
The Pakistan Air Force is that Shaheen – unbound by fear, untouched by luxury, driven by destiny. Its flight is a reminder that Iqbal’s dream was not confined to pages of poetry but a prophecy taking form in the skies above Pakistan. As long as these eagles soar, Iqbal’s message will not fade.
The writer is a freelance contributor.
