Sarfraz Ali (general)

Chaudhary Sarfraz Ali was born in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan on 1 December 1968 to Squadron Leader Chaudhary Dewan Ali, who served in the Pakistan Air Force at PAF Base Sargodha and as an instructor at PAF College Sargodha.{{cite news|title=Bright memories of General Sarfaraz Ali Shaheed|url=https://www.dailyparliamenttimes.com/2022/08/11/bright-memories-of-general-sarfaraz-ali-shaheed/|work=Daily Parliament Times|date=11 August 2022}}{{cite tweet|user=_rsk910|author=Raja Shaheryar Khan|number=1554450165662191622|title=I knew Lt Gen Sarfaraz & MG Amjad. Lt Gen Sarfraz's Father Sqn Ldr Dewan Ali, exceptionally dedicated, upright Officer, was our instr at PAF College Sargodha. Gen Sarfraz was a true copy of his father. Few know his daughter got married last week.|access-date=2 August 2022}} Sarfraz has four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. At the time of his death, it was reported that his mother was alive.

Sarfraz married Arifa Sarfraz, the daughter of Major General Muhammad Arshad Chaudhary. They have two sons, Ahmed Ali, Muhammad Ali, and daughter Zainab.{{cite news|date=2 August 2022|title=Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali: a thorough professional with an impeccable personality|work=Daily Pakistan |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/02-Aug-2022/lt-gen-sarfraz-ali-a-thorough-professional-with-an-impeccable-personality?version=amp|access-date=29 August 2022}} At the time of Sarfraz's death, Ahmed Ali, an officer in the Pakistan Army, held the rank of Captain and served as his Aide-de-camp. Though he was initially meant to be onboard, a lack of available seats prevented him from traveling with his father.

Just 10 days before the crash, Sarfraz planned his daughter Zainab's wedding ceremony.{{cite news|title=PHOTOS: Memories of Shaheed Lt General Sarfaraz Ali from his daughter's wedding|url=https://showbizpk.com/2022/09/06/photos-memories-of-shaheed-lt-general-sarfaraz-ali-from-his-daughters-wedding/|work=showbizpk.com|date=6 September 2022|quote=The wedding ceremony of his daughter was organized 10 days before his shahadat.}}

At the age of 20, Sarfraz was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in the 16 Azad Kashmir Regiment after completing the 79th Pakistan Military Academy course in March 1989.{{cite news|title=Corps commander among six military personnel martyred in copter crash|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/979145-six-pakistan-army-officers-martyred-in-copter-crash-ispr|date=3 August 2022|publisher=The News International}}

Known for leading from the front, Sarfraz received his first Tamgha-e-Basalat in 2005 and second in 2008 for his gallantry in commanding Pakistani units during Operation Rah-e-Rast and Operation Zarb-e-Azb.{{cite news|title=A Leader with a Lasting Legacy: Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali Shaheed Lieutenant|url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/NjU1Ng==.html|work=Hilal Magazine|date=5 September 2022|quote=Leading from the front was his instinctive trait evident from the gallantry award Tamgha-i-Basalat (TBt & Bar) bestowed upon him for his daring actions during the war against terrorism in 2005 and 2010.}}

From 2012 to 2014, he commanded the 111th Infantry Brigade. He served as Pakistan's defence attaché to Washington, D.C. from 2014 to 2017.{{cite news|title=Military operation to continue: defence attaché |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1211110|publisher=Dawn|date=6 October 2015}} In January 2018, he was appointed as Commandant of Command and Staff College Quetta.{{cite web|url=https://www.ocds.lk/content/commandant-command-and-staff-college-pakistan-pays-courtesy-call-cds|title=COMMANDANT, COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE OF PAKISTAN PAYS COURTESY CALL ON CDS|date=28 May 2021|publisher=Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)}} On 25 October 2018, he was appointed Director General of Military Intelligence.

He was appointed Commander of the XII Corps in December 2020, where he served until his death in August 2022.{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Naveed |date=2 August 2022 |title=Wreckage of missing Pakistan Army helicopter found, 6 officers, soldiers aboard martyred: ISPR|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1702847|publisher=Dawn}}

On 12 January 2012 when Sarfraz was promoted to Brigadier and appointed as the Commander of the 111th Infantry Brigade, the Pakistani Government, Pakistani media and Indian media speculated that a Coup d'état was about to take place due to Sarfraz's posting at a time when Prime Minister Gillani had accused COAS General Kayani and DG ISI Pasha of violating the constitution by submitting "illegal" replies against Zardari to the Supreme Court on the memogate scandal, which President Zardari sent to the White House begging the American Government to save him from the Pakistan Army.{{cite news |title=Pakistan's 'memogate' bodes ill for Zardari|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16217679|date=16 December 2011|quote=The scandal revolves around a memo allegedly sent from Pakistan's political leadership via Mr Haqqani to Adm Mike Mullen seeking US help to tame the Pakistani military.}} The rumors started by the government and media later turned out to be false as there was no Coup d'état and just a routine change of command.{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/pakistani-officer-posting-coup-rumour-brigadier-sarfraz-ali-89375-2012-01-11 |title=When a Pakistani officer's posting fuelled coup rumour|website=India Today|date=12 January 2012 }}

While commanding the brigade, Sarfraz led the recovery efforts for the Bhoja Air Flight 213 which crashed in Rawalpindi on 20 April 2012.{{cite news|title=Pakistan Probes Air Crash, 127 Confirmed Dead|url=https://www.naharnet.com/stories/37533-pakistan-probes-air-crash-127-confirmed-dead|work=naharnet.com|date=21 April 2012|quote=Brigadier Sarfraz Ali, who is heading recovery efforts.}}

During the 2014 Azadi March, he led a team of officers to disperse protestors from the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who were demonstrating outside the Pakistan Television Corporation headquarters against Nawaz Sharif and his government.{{cite news |title=Written by Matiullah Jan in memory of his platoon mate Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali|url=https://proiqra.com/written-by-matiullah-jan-in-memory-of-his-platoon-mate-lt-gen-sarfraz-ali-pro-iqra-news|work=Pro IQRA|date=5 August 2022|quote=Since 2014, I saw Brigadier Sarfraz with his men at the entrance of PTV clearing out the protesting crowd. If we talked about him with some mutual friends, everyone would have praised his good manners and hard work.}}

Sarfraz served as Pakistan's Defence attaché to Washington from 2014 to 2017.

In July 2016, he was invited to give a speech at the Naval Postgraduate School in California to the students of the schools National Security Affairs, South Asia curriculum. He informed them about the Pakistan Army's campaign against extremism, terrorism, and securing the AFG-PAK border.{{cite news |title=Pakistan Official Defines Challenges in Fighting Extremism|url=https://nps.edu/-/pakistan-official-defines-challenges-in-fighting-extremism|date=19 July 2016|quote=Students of NPS' National Security Affairs, South Asia curriculum and others listen to Pakistan Defence and Army Attaché Brig. Chaudhary Sarfraz Ali of the embassy of Pakistan, describe Pakistan Army's campaign against militancy and extremism and its challenges of battling homegrown terrorism as well as securing its porous border with Afghanistan.}} Sarfraz was also known for being a cook as he would prepare breakfast for fellows/unit officers who arrived from Pakistan and were posted at the embassy.{{cite news|title=Written by Matiullah Jan in memory of his platoon mate Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali - Pro IQRA News|url=https://proiqra.com/written-by-matiullah-jan-in-memory-of-his-platoon-mate-lt-gen-sarfraz-ali-pro-iqra-news|work=proiqra.com|date=5 August 2022|quote=One fellow said that during his deployment as a defense attache in Washington, he would prepare breakfast with his own hands for fellow fellows or unit officers coming from Pakistan.}}

While serving in this position, he was promoted to Major General on 9 February 2017.{{cite news|title=Promotion of 37 brigadiers approved|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1313946|publisher=Dawn|date=10 February 2017}}

In October 2021, Sarfraz was among three generals interviewed by Prime Minister Imran Khan for the post of Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence.{{cite news|title=Copter with army general on board goes missing|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2368943/copter-with-army-general-on-board-goes-missing|publisher=The Express Tribune|date=1 August 2022|quote=General Sarfraz, the commander, southern command, was one of the contenders interviewed by former prime minister Imran Khan for the post of director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in October last year.}}{{cite news|title=PM Imran appoints new DG ISI|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1653379|publisher=Dawn|date=26 October 2021|quote=According to experts in defence matters, the procedure for appointment of the ISI director general is neither mentioned in the Constitution nor the Army Act, and all previous appointments were made as per traditions under which the army chief proposes three names to the prime minister who then makes the final decision.}}

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad stated on an interview that Imran Khan wanted to appoint Sarfraz, as COAS after Qamar Javed Bajwa's retirement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30301834|title=Imran did not want to appoint General Faiz Hameed as army chief: Sheikh Rashid|date=20 October 2022|website=Aaj English TV}}

Sarfraz avoided publicity and never took credit for the work he did for Balochistan. In addition, he was an avid reader and his colleagues state that he was humble, open-minded, and easily accessible to civilian leaders.

Sarfraz focused on women's education and their skill development. He renovated several schools in the area, notably establishing two women cadet colleges in Quetta, and requested the local authorities and media to not credit or mention him for this work.

He helped famous Baloch folk singers Akhtar Chanal Zahri and Jangi Khan get free treatment in Combined Military Hospitals, Quetta.{{cite news |title=A Leader with a Lasting Legacy: Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali Shaheed Lieutenant|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608191126/https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/NjU1Ng==.html|work=Hilal Magazine|date=5 September 2022| url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/NjU1Ng==.html |archive-date=8 June 2023|quote=Lieutenant General Sarfraz also held the artists of Balochistan in high regards and was always there to support them. For example, he generously helped the ailing legendary folk singer, Akhtar Chanal whereas Jangi Khan was extended free medical treatment at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta.}}

Lt Col Ahmed Nawaz adds that whenever a Pakistani soldiers funeral was brought, Sarfraz would lead the funeral prayer and his eyes would be filled with tears upon kissing the coffin of the soldier.{{cite news|title=A Leader with a Lasting Legacy: Lieutenant General Sarfraz Ali Shaheed Lieutenant|url=https://www.hilal.gov.pk/eng-article/detail/NjU1Ng==.html|work=hilal.gov.pk|date=5 September 2022|quote=He would personally lead funeral prayers of the martyrs, presenting them his tears and signaling a solemn oath to carry on their mission.}} His subordinates recall that Sarfraz was very kind towards them, always led from the front, and was known for being tough on soldiers who were slacking in their work.

On 1 August 2022, Pakistan Army Aviation Corps Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil carrying six officers, including Sarfraz, Director General Pakistan Coast Guards Brigadier (approved Maj Gen) Amjad Hanif, Brigadier Muhammad Khalid, Pilot Major Saeed Ahmed, Co-Pilot Major Muhammad Talha Manan and Naik Mudassir Fayyaz (helicopter crew) went missing during flood relief operations in Balochistan, Pakistan.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Army aviation helicopter goes missing |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/978799-pakistan-army-aviation-helicopter-goes-missing-enroute-from-karachi-to-quetta|access-date=1 August 2022|publisher=The News International}} On 2 August 2022, the wreckage of the helicopter was found with no survivors.{{Cite web |title=Corps commander among six military personnel martyred in copter crash|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/979145-six-pakistan-army-officers-martyred-in-copter-crash-ispr|date=2 August 2022|publisher=The News International}}

Their Janaza was offered in Quetta garrison on 3 August 2022, with the COAS, CJCSC, and other high ranking army officers and politicians attending. Sarfraz was buried in Shuhada graveyard in Rawalpindi.{{Cite web |date=3 August 2022 |title=COAS attended funeral prayers of helicopter crash martyrs|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2369248/coas-attends-funeral-prayers-of-helicopter-crash-martyrs |access-date=3 August 2022|publisher=The Express Tribune}}

• {{PAK}} — Chairman PTI, Former Prime Minister Imran Khan offered his condolences to the families of all the victims on Twitter, stating that he had found Sarfraz to be “a thorough professional and an upright, honest human being.”{{cite tweet |user=ImranKhanPTI |author=Imran Khan|number=1554425219586179076 |title="Tragic news about the army aviation helicopter crash & the martyrdom of all six on board. My condolences & prayers to the families of the martyrs. I had the privilege of knowing Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali whom I found to be a thorough professional & an upright, honest human being."|access-date=2 August 2022}} Khan visited the home of Sarfraz on 6 August 2022 to offer condolences.{{cite news|title=Imran condoles with family of Lt Gen Sarfraz|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/980124-imran-condoles-with-family-of-lt-gen-sarfraz|publisher=The News International|date=6 August 2022}}

• {{PAK}} — Journalist Arshad Sharif tweeted, “Praying to Allah to protect and save the brave sons of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali, Mj Gen Amjad, Engr Cmdr Brig Khalid, Maj Saeed (Pilot), Maj Talha (Co-Pilot), Naik Mudassir. Allah let there be a miracle to save them. Ameen.”{{cite tweet|user=arsched|author=Arshad Sharif|number=1554194809350369280|access-date=1 August 2022|title=Praying to Allah to protect and save the brave sons of Pakistan 🇵🇰 Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali, Mj Gen Amjad, Engr Cmdr Brig Khalid, Maj Saeed (Pilot), Maj Talha (Co-Pilot), Naik Mudassir. Allah let there be a miracle to save them. Ameen.}}

• {{PAK}} — Prime Minister of Pakistan tweeted, "Nation is deeply grieved on the martyrdom of Lt. General Sarfraz Ali & 5 other officers of Pakistan Army. They were doing a sacred duty of providing relief to flood affectees. Will remain eternally indebted to these sons of soil. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families!" He visited the home of Sarfraz to offer condolences on 17 August 2022.{{cite web | url=https://arynews.tv/pm-visits-lt-general-shaheed-sarfaraz-alis-house-to-offer-condolences/ | title=PM visits Lt General Shaheed Sarfaraz Ali's house to offer condolences | date=17 August 2022 }}

{{UAE}} — On 5 August 2022, a statement released by the United Arab Emirates Army's media wing stated the President of the UAE Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed "his deepest condolences of the tragic loss of precious lives due to the crash."{{cite news|title=UAE president, Saudi top general condole with Pakistan army chief over helicopter crash deaths|url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2137151/pakistan|work=arabnews.com.pk|date=6 August 2022|quote=“His Highness (President Al Nahyan) expressed deepest condolences over the tragic loss of precious lives due to the helicopter crash in Lasbela,” a statement from the military’s media wing said on Friday.}}

{{SAU}} — On 6 August 2022, Chairman of the General Staff of Saudi Arabia Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, expressed his "deepest condolences" on a phone call with military leadership.{{cite news |title=UAE president, Saudi top general condole with Pakistan army chief over helicopter crash deaths|url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2137151/pakistan|work=arabnews.com.pk|date=6 August 2022|quote=Chief of General Staff KSA expressed deepest condolences over tragic loss of precious lives due to helicopter crash in Lasbela.}}

{{USA}} — On 19 August 2022, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan, told reporters that the United States Department of Defense and Department of State expressed their condolences over the losses. He went on to say that Sarfraz was an extremely humane and kind-hearted person who always helped the needy and was also popular in Washington.{{cite news|title=Pakistan's US mission pays tribute to martyred soldiers|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2371981/pakistans-us-mission-pays-tribute-to-martyred-soldiers|date=19 August 2022|publisher=The Express Tribune}}

On 3 November 2022, the first Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali Shaheed Junior Tennis Tournament was held in Lahore which was hosted by tournament director Inam-ul-Haq.{{cite news|title=Salar wins Lt Gen Sarfraz Ali Shaheed Jr Tennis Tournament|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Nov-2022/salar-wins-lt-gen-sarfraz-ali-shaheed-jr-tennis-tournament|work=nation.com.pk|date=3 November 2022}}

On 13 December 2022, the first Lt. General Sarfraz Shaheed Football Tournament was held in Loralai, Balochistan with the aim of the tournament to promote sports culture in the area.{{cite news |title=All Balochistan Lt. General Sarfraz Shaheed Football Tournament held in Loralai|url=https://www.quettavoice.com/2022/12/13/all-balochistan-lt-general-sarfraz-shaheed-football-tournament-held-in-loralai/|work=Quetta Voice|date=13 December 2022}}

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Category:1968 births

Category:2022 deaths

Category:People from Sargodha

Category:People from Punjab, Pakistan

Category:2022 in Balochistan, Pakistan

Category:Pakistan Army lieutenant generals

Category:People from Sargodha District

Category:Pakistan Command and Staff College alumni

Category:Military attachés for Pakistan

Category:21st-century Pakistani military personnel

Category:People from Sialkot

Category:Pakistan Military Academy alumni

Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2022

Category:Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz

Category:20th-century Pakistani military personnel

Category:National Defence University, Pakistan alumni

Category:Military personnel from Punjab, Pakistan

Category:Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents in Pakistan