This is an in-depth study of the Pakistan Army. The scope of this book is wide because field marshals and generals ruled the country for many years. The author describes Pakistan's violent internal politics and erratic international relations in the context of military involvement, with the deep knowledge gained through long association with the country and its armed forces. Pakistan's three wars with India are covered vividly, using unpublished sources and facts, and opinions from Indian as well as Pakistani accounts. The dramatic story of the country's resurrection under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, after the disastrous war with India over Bangladesh, is told in an eminently readable way. The book also highlights the years of dictatorship that followed. The later history of the army, while Pakistan was grappling with unaccustomed democracy and verging on anarchy, is told using close personal knowledge of many of the senior players. The most important aspect of this new edition is the final chapter which covers the army coup of 1999 and ensuing developments. The author updates many details in the light of later information, including the Hamoodur Rehman Commission of Inquiry into the 1971 War which was declassified and released in 2001. there are forthright descriptions of involvement by the armyin governing Pakistan for so much of its history, and accounts of friction between civilian governments and the army are drawn from discussions with senior figures involved. There is analysis of the political aspects of the post-coup years, and examination of the army's budget, procurement, capabilities and deployment in support of the US 'War on Terror', notably its campaign in Waziristan in 2004-2005. the army's peacekeeping role is covered in detail, with special note of the mission in Somalia, and there is straightforward examination of the problems affecting the army in regard to confrontation with religious extremists, mismanagement of defence funds, and the army’s role inland management.
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