Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan
November 28, 2011

The last few columns were, unfortunately, on unpleasant topics due to the prevailing sad circumstances in the country. In last week’s article I was forced to rebut the blatant lies of a certain journalist who claims to be the commanding officer of Imran Khan’s task force. Today I would like to write about some fine books that I have read recently. These are literary gems for students, political analysts, authors, etc., to read, enjoy and benefit from.

The first book, Afghanistan and Pakistan-Conflict, Extremism and Resistance to Modernity, is written by our ableintelligent and competent former foreign secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan. It was recently published in the US by the Woodrow Wilson Centre Press and in Pakistan by Oxford University Press. Riaz Khan is also the author of Untying the Afghan Knot: Negotiating Soviet Withdrawal (1991), an important book on the topic.

Riaz Mohammad Khan is a dear and staunch friend. When Gen Musharraf, playing the US stooge, confined me to my house, cut off our telephone lines, confiscated our mobiles and stopped visits from family and friends, Riaz ignored the official orders and the possible consequences and continued to visit us, bringing with him a breath of fresh air to my wife and myself. A career diplomat, he served as Pakistan’s ambassador in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the European Union, Belgium and China. He also held important desks in the Foreign Office, including that of DG for Afghanistan.

Riaz has a very pleasant, interesting, intellectual and low profile personality and one needs to know his background to be able to fully appreciate this book, for which he conducted extensive research.
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Random thoughts
By Dr A Q Khan
Monday, November 21, 2011

Ever since it became known in the mid-eighties that my colleagues and I had successfully produced nuclear weapons, many pseudo-experts tried to claim credit and tarnish my name. When a religious scholar and dear friend drew my attention to this, I could only raise my hands and say: “O Allah! You have been kind enough not to give me the status of an angel or a saint.

People take me for what I am, an ordinary human being, whom they can abuse and accuse of anything.” The friend replied: “Alhamdulillah! No doubt Allah chose you to accomplish this most important task for the country and for your humbleness.” I never thought of myself as a special person, but only tried to serve my country.

As far as my claimed incompetence, ignorance, etc., is concerned, I would request my critics to read the opinion of Mr Ghulam Ishaq Khan (who was in charge of our nuclear programme for 17 years), Mr Agha Shahi, Gen Arif, Gen Mirza Aslam Beg, Gen Wahid Kakar, etc., who were all closely associated with our nuclear and missile programmes. It was the most productive and rewarding period of my life and I live with a clear conscience because I have given my utmost in the service of the country. Read the rest of this entry »

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