Interview with Brigadier Tarique Quadir Lakhiar, Sitare Imtiaz (Military), Former CEO, SIEHS 1122 Sindh
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Brigadier Tarique Quadir Lakhiar: I’m typical Sindhi guy with roots embedded in my rural lineage with a small village of district Dadu. My father, a civil servant, took us around to learn new things a lot. With education cum grooming at Cadet College Petaro, we could conceive our future fairly well.
After my 32 years of illustrious military career, I have now dedicated my career to public service and to the people of Sindh and Pakistan. My post retirement roles in development of Thar Coal project and improving life standards of Thari people or efforts to transform Rekodiq project as well as people of Chagai region and of Balochistan, despite challenges, were great satisfaction. My recent position as CEO of SIEHS 1122 gave me the privilege of serving citizens in their most critical moments. That experience taught me that strong institutions, compassion, and integrity are the true foundations of a better Pakistan. I believe public service is a responsibility, not a title, and I remain committed to working for systems that save lives and restore public trust. After SIEHS we as a team of GoS and few entrepreneurs both local and international, are going to initiate a futuristic project for greater good of people of Sindh / Pakistan. Pray we succeed to deliver well.
PAGE: People across the country display their national pride by purchasing national flags in different sizes, t-shirts, badges and other merchandise on the Independence Day. What is your perspective about it?
Brigadier Tarique Quadir Lakhiar: This display of pride is deeply moving. When a child waves a flag or a family decorates their home in green and white, it is a renewal of our covenant with Pakistan. Symbols remind us of our identity: unity, faith, and resilience. True patriotism, however, extends beyond 14th August. It lives in how we serve our communities, how we work with honesty, and how we build our institutions. May the pride we show on our streets be matched by progress in our schools, hospitals, and workplaces. Me and my family ensure to celebrate the eve with lots of pride and elan. Kids have engraved these things as rituals. A must act for us as parents.
PAGE: Despite significant progress, Pakistan has yet to reach its destiny. What is your standpoint on it?
Brigadier Tarique Quadir Lakhiar: Nations are built step by step. We have made meaningful progress in infrastructure, technology, healthcare, and in empowering our youth, and that gives me great hope. Yet our destiny is still ahead of us. To reach it, we must focus on quality education, responsive governance, and an economy that creates opportunity for every Pakistani. I am confident that with sincerity, hard work, and unity, Pakistan will achieve the vision of Quaid-e-Azam — a progressive, welfare state that stands with dignity in the world. What we don’t possess as a country: everything needed for a great nation we have. I’m with absolute conviction that our future is bright Insha Allah.
PAGE: Pakistan will continue to provide its political and moral support to resolve the Kashmir issue under the United Nations resolutions. How would you elaborate it?*
Brigadier Tarique Quadir Lakhiar: Kashmir is our jugular vein as Quaid said thus for me it’s both a political and a humanitarian cause. For decades, the people of Kashmir have awaited their right to self-determination, as promised in UN resolutions. Pakistan’s position has always been rooted in principle, peace, and moral clarity. We must continue to stand with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters politically, diplomatically, and morally until justice is realized. At the same time, lasting peace in the region requires dialogue, respect for international law, and honoring the will of the Kashmiri people.
PAGE: Pakistan is a blessing of Allah. Pakistan is capable to overcome the economic problems and other issues. How would you comment it?
Brigadier Tarique Quadir Lakhiar: Without doubt, Pakistan is a blessing and a testament to faith and resilience. During my military career as well as in time at SIEHS 1122, I witnessed firsthand the strength and spirit of our teams and the people of Sindh and Pakistan. Our challenges — economic, social, and institutional — are real, but they are not insurmountable. With transparency, investment in our youth, support for small businesses, and trust in our institutions, we can overcome them. I am hopeful and optimistic that, InshaAllah, Pakistan’s best days lie ahead beyond doubt.