Arms and Politics in Pakistan

SINCE THE founding of Pakistan as an independent state, there has been no shortage of books on its political and quasipolitical problems. But curiously there have been very few studies on the political role of the military in Pakistan. Maj. Gen. Fazal Muqueem Khan's book1 is doubly valuable not only because it discusses and criticizes politics in Pakistan, but because it reflects the view of the Pakistan Army.21 The stature of the author also adds to the importance of the book; in addition to the post as Commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy, Gen. Muqueem Khan has been something of a silent but key figure throughout the growing emergence of the military into politics in Pakistan, as well as an outstanding military planner. His appointment on 6 August 1964 as General Officer Commanding, East Pakistan, indicates his elevation in the Pakistan military hierachy. A glowing tribute by the Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army, Gen. Mohammad Musa, nullifies the author's disclaimer that 'there is nothing official about this book. It is a purely private and personal effort'.