Asghar Khan's book launched

Speakers at the book-launching ceremony of Asghar Khan's book, "We've Learnt Nothing from History", were unanimous that the writer of the book was a true Pakistani and a fighter against all sorts of tyranny. The function was held at a local hotel and the assembly was full of intellectuals and the elite of the town.
Veteran politician Sherbaz Khan Mazari was at the chair. Others, who graced the occasion, were privatisation minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Ardeshir Cowasjee, columnist and intellectual, besides the writer himself. It profoundly showed the regard and respect of the people for Asghar Khan.
The Oxford University Press has published the book and its managing-director, Ameena Saiyid, started the proceedings. She eulogised Asghar Khan in well-chosen words with the ease and poise typical to her.
"Air Marshal Asghar Khan is known for his genuineness and outspokenness - rare and valuable traits in politics. He is a national hero and the consciousness of the nation. His personal integrity and ability to speak only the truth was recognised and respected even by his political opponents."
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh showed his other side: that apart from an expert in business, finance and economy, he had mastered the use of words as well. He captivated the audience with his choice of words and expression, which were simply marvellous.
He said Air Marshal was a special person and his book was also special. He travelled in his memory lane and described a meeting that was held in Jacobabad in Air Marshal's honour during the last days of Ayub Khan's rule.
The mammoth crowd in that meeting was the largest in the history of Jacobabad. That record still holds good. That was the ample proof of love and respect people have for the venerable person, he mused. Air Marshal has carved a unique place for himself by performing so much in a short time.
He was the builder of Pakistan Air Force and first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief of the air force at the age of 36.
He took PIA to withering heights. He was an idealist and speaker of truth, he continued. His book is an account of the turbulent history and politics of Pakistan. It is an eyewitness to the topsy path in the corridor of power politics of Pakistan. There was a time in the gloomy days in 1971 when killing was going on in East Pakistan; silence was the norm in West Pakistan.
It was the Air Marshal, who broke the silence and tried to bring rulers to some sanity, he ruminated. Air Marshal has traversed on some philosophical ground when he tries to nominate parameters of success.
Some may regard power and pelf as success but his yardstick for measuring the success is different from others. Air Marshal values the opinion of the people and regards it as a success, Dr Hafeez suggested.
It is a gloomy book. It brings to the reader all bad spots and shameful acts witnessed by no less a person than the Air Marshal himself. But he did record them for the posterity. After all, Air Marshal is a fearless person, Dr Hafeez concluded.
Sherbaz Khan Mazari described Air Marshal as a man of respect and a symbol of honour. In his opinion, Air Marshal was one of the few, who garnered respect from Bengalis during the traumatic period that ended in the separation of eastern wing of the country.
He wished Pakistan had more people like the Air Marshal to transform the country into a land of justice and exemplary progress.
Air Marshal was imposing even with his simple but true words. He thanked Mazari for his presence and recalled the days when they were jail mates in Sihala during Ziaul Haq's regime.
He lamented the mediocre rule of the judiciary and wished the judiciary would come to the honourable heights it belong to. He minced no words when he said the armed forces' rule was to obey and defend frontiers of the country, not to rule the country.
He recalled on 14th August, 1947, some army officers' lead by General Akbar Khan approached Quaid-e-Azam and complained that even after the independence they have the British Army chief. To this, the Quaid retorted that their only duty was to obey and no more. The message was crystal clear. Do not meddle in any sort of politics, the Air Marshal concluded.
Ardeshir Cowasjee was as usual blunt in denouncing them, who were dishonest and plundering the country. He wished people would learn honesty and integrity from peers like the Air Marshal and help country get rid of greedy politicians, feudal lords and men in uniform.