Sargodha - The Dream

Tempest 269

Flt Lt Mohammed Matiur Rahman enrolled as the 4th entry at Pakistan Air Force Public School, Sargodha in April 1956.

Sargodha at the time had four Houses named after aircrafts, namely Attacker, Fury, Sabre and Tempest. Matiur was a boarder at Tempest House. His school number was 269.

The PAF Public School was set up in 1953 in the small district town of Sargodha some 120 miles west of Lahore.

It was sponsored by the Pakistan Air Force and was then run by a British Company with most faculty members being British, Australian or New Zealanders.

This unique school used to select students from all over Pakistan, purely on competitive basis. Final selection was based on preliminary interviews, written test, interview by a board and a medical examination.

The 4th Entry in 1956 had majority of its student from the then East Pakistan.

Mati 269 of Tempest House, Sargodha

Matiur Rahman being from Bengali Medium of Schooling had to work extra hard to improve his English and catch up with those from English Medium of Schooling.

Matiur being a determined child encouraged others with similar disadvantage to study together and act smarter than the English medium intake. In the mid term exams instead of coming bottom of the class in English as can be expected, Matiur came somewhere in the middle of the class.

Within a year Matiur was in the top five in all academic subjects including English. His determination and tenacity made his teachers take note of him.

Captain Matiur Rahman
House Captain of Tempest House

Matiur was an excellent swimmer and was awarded school colours for his outstanding performance in swimming. He also played football for the school team and was a good and determined boxer and badminton player.

Mati also represented the Tempest House team in hockey and basketball.

His performance in sports made him popular a boy in the school.
By now his teachers and friends reposed full confidence in him and were sure his future would be exceedingly bright and prosperous.

Risalpur Here I Come

In May 1960 Mohammed Matiur Rahman passed Matriculation in the First Division with Distinction from PAF Public School Sargodha.

Soon after Mati in order to join the Pakistan Air Force took and successfully passed the ISSB (Inter Services Selection Board) Examination.

On 15th August 1961 Mohammed Matiur Rahman joined the Pakistan Air Force Academy at Risalpur as a Flight Cadet on the 36th GD(P) course.

Golden Jubilee 1953 - 2002
PAF Public School Sargodha