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Capt. Taimur Baig receiving
Tamgha-i-Pakistan (TPK) from Pakistan President Field Marshal
Muhammad Ayub Khan on August 14, 1966. Capt. Taimur Baig is
perhaps the only PIA officer who was awarded three civilian
decorations/medals by the Government of Pakistan, in recognition
of his services for the country. Capt. Taimur Baig received
Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam (SQA), Tamgha-i-Pakistan (TPK) and
Sitara-e-Khidmat (SK).
During 1965 Indo-Pak war, a PIA
Boeing 720-040B jetliner under the command of Capt. Taimur Baig
was based at Peshawar for flights between China and Peshawar.
In May-June 1972, Capt. Taimur
Baig set a world record by flying 27 thousand kilometers in 31
hours and 27 minutes in one week while operating VIP flights
with a PIA Boeing 720B for President of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto. The PIA Boeing 720B under the
command of 43-year old Capt. Taimur made 14 landings and
take-offs at different places while taking President Bhutto on
tour of different countries in Middle East and Africa. The
President made this whirlwind tour of different countries as
part of his efforts to gain diplomatic support for Pakistan
after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Capt. Taimur had experience of 14
thousand flight hours and PIA Director Flight Operations when he
operated this set of VIP flights with a PIA Boeing 720B in May-June 1972
to countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE),
Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria,
Guinea, Mauritius, Turkey and Iran.
Earlier in January 1971, soon
after the end of war with India, on a similar whirlwind tour of
different countries President Bhutto on a PIA Boeing jet flew to
Iran, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt and Syria.
The tour was called "The Journey of Renaissance" |
