Saturday, February 10, 2007
New book on Pakistanââ¬â¢s foreign policy launched
ISLAMABAD: A new book on Pakistanââ¬â¢s Foreign Policy (1947-2005) - A Concise History, was launched on Friday.
Written by Abdul Sattar, a former foreign minister and foreign secretary, the book comprises 329 pages and documents the countryââ¬â¢s history. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the secretary-general of Pakistan Muslim League (N), who described the author as a ââ¬Åhome-spunââ¬Â foreign secretary, commended his efforts. ââ¬ÅHe has laid the record as it is and has not blurred it in any way.ââ¬Â The late Agha Shahi has written the bookââ¬â¢s foreword.
Mushahid said that Pakistanââ¬â¢s role in the comity of nations would have been qualitatively different had it not conducted nuclear tests. ââ¬ÅThe 2002 military standoff was imposed on us and war was averted only because we had carried out the tests,ââ¬Â he said, adding that Pakistanââ¬â¢s decision to join the war on terror was correct and it ensured the countryââ¬â¢s security.
Pointing to two flaws in the book, he said that analysis of the role of Foreign Office or the Foreign Ministry in policy-making should have been given more space. ââ¬ÅIt would have been instructive,ââ¬Â he thought. Also the Afghan policy was another area that needed to be mentioned. Tanvir Ahmed Khan, a former ambassador, said ââ¬ÅSattar takes us through 60 years at a fair pace,ââ¬Â and termed the book as ââ¬Åunique, conservative and patrioticââ¬Â
ââ¬ÅQuest for security is the major theme of the book and the chapter on Shimla is masterly and nine of those devoted to Pakistan-India relations are comprehensive,ââ¬Â he said. ââ¬ÅSattar provides a factual account of the Agra Summit, which is by far the most convincing.ââ¬Â
Senator SM Zafar also praised the book as did Ameena Saiyid, the managing director of Oxford University Press. ââ¬ÅIt is unique and the author has done a lot of research,ââ¬Â she said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\10\story_10-2-2007_pg11_6
New book on Pakistanââ¬â¢s foreign policy launched
ISLAMABAD: A new book on Pakistanââ¬â¢s Foreign Policy (1947-2005) - A Concise History, was launched on Friday.
Written by Abdul Sattar, a former foreign minister and foreign secretary, the book comprises 329 pages and documents the countryââ¬â¢s history. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the secretary-general of Pakistan Muslim League (N), who described the author as a ââ¬Åhome-spunââ¬Â foreign secretary, commended his efforts. ââ¬ÅHe has laid the record as it is and has not blurred it in any way.ââ¬Â The late Agha Shahi has written the bookââ¬â¢s foreword.
Mushahid said that Pakistanââ¬â¢s role in the comity of nations would have been qualitatively different had it not conducted nuclear tests. ââ¬ÅThe 2002 military standoff was imposed on us and war was averted only because we had carried out the tests,ââ¬Â he said, adding that Pakistanââ¬â¢s decision to join the war on terror was correct and it ensured the countryââ¬â¢s security.
Pointing to two flaws in the book, he said that analysis of the role of Foreign Office or the Foreign Ministry in policy-making should have been given more space. ââ¬ÅIt would have been instructive,ââ¬Â he thought. Also the Afghan policy was another area that needed to be mentioned. Tanvir Ahmed Khan, a former ambassador, said ââ¬ÅSattar takes us through 60 years at a fair pace,ââ¬Â and termed the book as ââ¬Åunique, conservative and patrioticââ¬Â
ââ¬ÅQuest for security is the major theme of the book and the chapter on Shimla is masterly and nine of those devoted to Pakistan-India relations are comprehensive,ââ¬Â he said. ââ¬ÅSattar provides a factual account of the Agra Summit, which is by far the most convincing.ââ¬Â
Senator SM Zafar also praised the book as did Ameena Saiyid, the managing director of Oxford University Press. ââ¬ÅIt is unique and the author has done a lot of research,ââ¬Â she said.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\10\story_10-2-2007_pg11_6
