Aly was born to Maj Aijaz Akram (later retired as a Lieutenant Colonel) and Shamsun-Nisa on 14th May, 1975 in Mangla Cantonment. He was the first born in his generation for both his paternal and maternal side. Reza Akram and Sarah Akram completed the family. He has also left behind his wife Ayesha Kamal whom he married on December 4th, 2008. Reza reflects, “Aly has made us all proud he has earned Shahadat which is the highest honour any Muslim can earn.”
Known by a very unique nick name “Tina”, this was the name that his family, friends and close col leagues would call him by. This name given by his phuppo, Shama originally started out as “Tinnu” but with the passage of time it became the now very famous “Tina.”
In 2008 Aly and Ayesha Kamal, spent 8 wonderful years travelling across the world and doing what their hearts desired. The two would be the heart and soul of weddings and would never miss an opportunity to shine on the dance floor. “A people’s person who surpassed everyone in haqooq-ul-ibaad and lived by a simple rule of enjoying life to the fullest. I wish to become as · big hearted as he was. Will be forever missed,” said his wife, who spent 8 fulfilling years with him.
Both the maternal and paternal sides had deep-rooted military history, having served the armed forces with distinction over the generations. His paternal grandfather was Major Chaudhry Muhammad Akram Khan, Baluch Regiment and belonged to the Gujjar Gorsi family of Gujrat. His maternal grandfather, Brigadier Sherullah beg – the first Development Commissioner Gilgit Baltistan – had commanded 18 Punjab, 106 Brigade and the elite SSG, hailed from Hunza. Some of the other prominent family members being Major General Imtiaz Ali Khan, ex-Military Secretary to Prime Minister ZA Bhutto, Lieutenant General Sajjad Akram 11 Baluch who commanded 1 Corps and Lieutenant Salar Beg who earned Shahadat on 15th December, 1971 while leading the last tank of 3rd Independent Armoured Squadron in the Jessore sector in the then East Pakistan.
Aly’s father Lieutenant Colonel Aijaz Akram was commissioned in 11 Baluch Regiment during the 1965 war, later he joined the SSG and fought in the 1971 war. In 1974 he earned his second wing as a pilot in Army Aviation till his retirement in 1988, after which he became the Chief Pilot with the Aga Khan Foundation Helicopter Wing and then Expert Disaster Management and Urban Search and Rescue with NOMA and UNDP.
“Aly wasn’t a person, he was a phenomenon. He breathed life into every occasion with his vivacious personality. He had a remarkable bond with all family members and ensured the link only strengthened. His childlike innocence made him unique and his love for the little things in life will forever remain unmatched. His affection for family, warmth for friends, craze for cricket, passion for music, his sensational rhythm, obsession with fitness, exquisite taste in shoes, fondness of giving and most importantly his gratitude for the blessings he had, is what set him apart. If you had a shoe size that matched his, we’re sure you’d have one from his classic shoe collection – he had a heart of gold,” shared his cousins who feel his void can never be filled.
His chacha Mickey was also a key player where Aly was concerned, he made Aly fall in love with music, to invest in the best stereos, and to wear the best shoes. Dancing was a way to express Aly’s free soul, that he enjoyed life to the fullest! He took the best from people and gave the best back to them. Ali was a complete family man – he loved his parents, his sister, his wife and his brother who was his best friend, Raza Akram (Sweetie). Growing up Aly loved music, it was his passion, he grew up on cassettes, then CDs, which he would collect wherever he went. Cricket was a very close second, some times first. He would watch every match that he could and loved playing the game even more.
Raza and Ali were known to be the cricketer brothers in their neighbourhood. In their younger years they would be playing cricket in their house, then on the streets and later on they went to play club and first class cricket. Their friends were everywhere, during school, after school, etc. It was a very important part of their life.
“He was a true embodiment of the teachings of Islam. He put into active practice and was the living embodiment of what is preached. In him I saw a true Muslim, one who under stood the value of fulfilling his duties towards mankind. I have learnt more from him than anyone else could every teach me – not through his words, but by seeing his deeds, his deeds of goodness,” said his friend Saqlain Mushtaq renowned cricketing legend while fondly remembering the time they spent together over the past 2 years.
Aly’s early life was spent listening to music, playing cricket, hanging out with friends, and driving around in their famous red 1967 Ford Mustang. If people in Rawalpindi did not know Aly and Raza, they definitely knew them by the car they drove. Aly knew exactly what he wanted to do as a profession. He was infatuated by the fact that his father was a chopper pilot in Aviation and later had flown for the Aga Khan for 14 years. Flying is a job you cannot do with out passion, Aly had passion and this is exactly what he did. He completed his studies from Fauji Foundation College in 1996, joined Rawalpindi Flying Club in 1997 and completed his CPL and IR. In 2003 he joined Pakistan International Airlines as a Pilot.
As Muslims, we believe in our faith and Destiny. On December 7th Aly was not scheduled to fly the Chitral-Islamabad flight and was supposed to be going to Lahore. Aly vouched for the Chitral flight and ended up getting his flight changed.
The hardest thing in life is to bury a child. But belonging to a family that idolises Shahadat, Aly has left the family very proud. While Aly’s loss at age 40 will be the greatest loss for the family to suffer, he has left us some very beautiful memories to remember him by.
While words will surely give sol ace to the family and friends whom Aly has left behind, what we hope is for Aly’s legacy to live in each and every one of us through the kind ness we spread, happiness we share and piety we embrace.
Aly indeed will remain forever alive!
(Grateful acknowledgement to Aly Akram’s family and friends for sharing their thoughts and memories).
