Oxford launches political memoirs of Air Marshal (R) M. Asghar Khan

Oxford University Press launched its publication, My Political Struggle by Air Marshal (Retd) M. Asghar Khan, on 15 January 2009, at the Quaid-e-Azam Library, in Lahore. Based on extracts from the diaries of M. Asghar Khan and from Tehrik-i-Istiqlal's record of events, this book provides a full picture of his political journey and his perception of the events that have contributed to the crises being faced by Pakistan today. Seen in the photograph are (from l to r): Air Marshal (Retd) M. Asghar Khan; former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri; Justice (Retd) Dr Javid Iqbal; and Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan.

Lahore, 15 Jan.: After successful launches earlier in Karachi and Islamabad, Oxford University Press launched in Lahore the political memoirs of Air Marshal (Retd) M. Asghar Khan, one of Pakistan's leading politicians over the last forty years. The volume entitled My Political Struggle is based on extracts from the diaries of M. Asghar Khan and from Tehrik-i-Istiqlal's record of events from 1971 to 1975. The events, experiences, and reflections of the author provide a full picture of his political journey and his perception of the events that have contributed to the crises being faced by Pakistan today. This book outlines his efforts to propel Pakistan towards democracy, and completes the picture of his life in politics presented in his earlier work We've Learnt Nothing from History.

M. Asghar Khan commanded the Pakistan Air Force from 1957-65 and was its first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief. He was also the President of PIA from 1965-8. The author entered the political arena in 1968, and led a movement for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. M. Asghar Khan formed his own political party, the Tehrik-i-Istiqlal, in 1972 and was elected to the National Assembly in 1977. He continued to oppose dictatorial and autocratic rule through the difficult years of Ayub Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and Ziaul Haq. He has recently been awarded the Jinnah Award by the Jinnah Society for outstanding services to the cause of democracy and human rights in Pakistan. M. Asghar Khan is the author of a number of books, Pakistan at the Cross Roads; Generals in Politics; Islam, Politics and the State The Pakistan Experience; and We've Learnt Nothing from History: Pakistan Politics and Military Power.

The launch ceremony, held at the Quaid-e-Azam Library, was well-attended by diplomats, bureaucrats, academics, and journalists. While speaking on the occasion, the guest speaker, Justice (Retd) Dr Javid Iqbal, highlighted that according to M. Asghar Khan, it was necessary for our political leaders to cultivate certain virtues for not only learning statecraft but also for laying the foundations of a just society. In his views, these virtues are honesty, integrity, vision, knowledge, courage, and the power of making the right decision at the right moment. In his concluding remarks, the author expressed his belief that it will take sometime before a true political leadership emerges which has the ability to conduct the country's affairs and which also inspires confidence in the minds of people. Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press, in her introductory address, said that the book gives an unambiguous and precise account of everything it touches on, and combined with M Asghar Khan's reputation for honesty and integrity, it provides a reliable account of the history it covers.