Some people are known by their posts, and some people give identity to their posts through their character. In the history of Pakistan's Information Group, there are very few officers whose name itself brings a feeling of respect, trust and love. Serving as Executive Director General and Principal Information Officer at the Press Information Department, PID, in Islamabad, Raisa Adil is one such bright example.
This column is not being written for any favour or formal praise. It is being written in the light of those facts, observations and experiences which journalists, government officers and common people have felt again and again. When an officer turns her office into a centre of service instead of just a chair, when she treats her authority as a trust instead of power, then her personality itself becomes an institution. The personality of Raisa Adil is exactly like that.
Pride of the Information Group: The Information Group is that branch of Pakistan's civil service which works as a bridge between the state and the people. It is the branch where conveying the truth with responsibility, removing misunderstandings and presenting a positive face of the country before the world is the biggest duty. Working in this group is not easy. Every day brings new challenges, every day brings new news, every day brings new pressure. But the person who remains firm on principles even in this pressure is the real officer.
Raisa Adil did not treat her service in the Information Group as just a job, she performed it as worship. Her complete service record is witness to the fact that she made honesty, hard work and integrity her motto everywhere. For her, post was never the goal, service was always the goal. That is why today when her name is taken, people say, she is the officer who can be trusted.
Leadership at PID Islamabad: The Press Information Department is the face of any government. Every news item, every statement, every clarification issued from here affects the whole country. To lead such an institution, experience alone is not enough, broad vision, patience, wisdom and human sympathy are also needed.
Since Raisa Adil took charge as Executive Director General and Principal Information Officer at PID Islamabad, a new spirit, new discipline and new confidence can be seen in the institution. The door of her office always remains open. Whether it is a junior journalist or a senior editor, a junior clerk or a senior officer, everyone is heard with respect. No recommendation works with her, no colour, race or party is seen. For her, every person is only a human being and every work is only a duty.
Working with PID is sometimes difficult for journalists, but Raisa Adil has made this relationship easy and pleasant. She understands that a journalist will ask questions, will criticize, will search for truth. That is why she never fears journalists, rather she respects them. She says that free and responsible journalism is the strength of the country, and respecting this strength is the duty of all of us.
Honesty is Her Identity: In today's era, when stories of recommendation, bribery and personal interest are heard everywhere, having an honest officer is no less than a blessing. The honesty of Raisa Adil is her biggest identity. No one has ever said about her that she misused her authority. No one has ever complained that she took away anyone's right.
Her principle is very simple. Whatever is right will be given, whatever is wrong will not happen. Whether the person in front is big or small, her decision is always on merit. That is why the officers and staff working under her respect her a lot. They say, working with Madam we learned that progress is possible with honesty also, and work can be done with dignity also.
There is simplicity in her life. No show off, no arrogance, no hunger for fame. She wants to be known by her work, not by her name. This simplicity separates her from others.
Sympathizer of the People: It would be a mistake to consider Raisa Adil only a strict administrator. She is the owner of a soft hearted, sympathetic and loving personality. Every person who comes to her office comes with his sorrow, and while returning, there is hope on his face.
Whether it is the problem of a poor employee, the case of a widow, the treatment of a sick person, or the genuine demand of a journalist, she listens to everyone with attention. She does not consider a file only a piece of paper, she sees the human being hidden behind it. That is why people do not call her only an officer, they call her their sympathizer.
Her sympathy is not limited to words only. She proves it through action. Many times she helped people in her personal time also. Many times she silently solved someone's difficulty and did not even let anyone know. There are few people in the world who do good and forget it. Madam Sahiba is one of them.
For women especially, she is an example. In Pakistan, for a woman to reach such a high post, and to prove her ability there, is not an easy task. But she proved that if a woman is honest, hardworking and brave, then no destination is far. Today's young girls, when they see her, say, we also want to become like Raisa Adil.
Friend of Journalists: Raisa's relationship with the journalist community is very deep and based on sincerity. She knows that journalists bring news after working day and night, and their hard work should be respected. That is why creating facilities for journalists in PID has been her priority.
Timely issuance of press releases, easy access to information, immediate reply to clarifications, and correction of wrong news, all this is happening in a better way under her leadership. She believes that if there is trust between the government and the media, the country will benefit. That is why she always tries to maintain an atmosphere of trust between both.
Many senior journalists say that talking to Madam feels like talking to an elder of our own house. No formality, no wall. She answers every question with patience. If she does not know something, she clearly says that she will find out and tell, and then she does tell. This truthfulness separates her from everyone else.
Symbol of Professionalism: Every aspect of the professional life of Raisa Adil is praiseworthy. Punctual, expert in work, clear in decisions, and polite in conversation. There is discipline in her office but no fear. There is strictness in her work but no harshness.
She also pays attention to the training of her staff. She says that today's junior is tomorrow's senior, so guiding him is our duty. She gives her juniors a chance to move forward, encourages them, and instead of scolding them on their mistakes, she explains to them. That is why the staff of PID considers her not only their leader but also their teacher.
There is civility in her conversation, softness in her tone, and dignity in her style. She never speaks in a loud voice, never insults anyone. This style of hers earns her the most respect. People say, the one who gives respect, gets respect, and Madam is the best example of this.
Hope for a Bright Future: Pakistan today needs such officers. Who are honest, who are sympathetic, who consider work as worship, and who love the country. The service of Raisa Adil is proof that there are still such people in our institutions on whom the nation can be proud.
We pray that Allah Almighty grants her more success, health and honour. Her journey is still continuing, and we are confident that in the coming time also she will continue to serve the country and nation in the same way. Her name will always be written in golden letters in the history of the Information Group.
In the end, it can only be said that Raisa Adil is not only an officer, she is the name of a thought. A thought which says that honesty is not weakness, it is strength. Sympathy is not show off, it is humanity. And service is not a post, it is a responsibility.
As long as such people are in our institutions, the future of Pakistan is bright.
