AT the launch of this scribe’s book Defence and Diplomacy, gratitude was offered to the Almighty for granting me the honour of serving Pakistan in multiple capacities: first as a soldier, then briefly as a diplomat when I was posted as Naval and Air Attaché to Riyadh, and later in the field of mass communications. Each role has been a chapter in a lifelong journey dedicated to safeguarding Pakistan’s interests and amplifying its voice in the world.
This book is deeply personal. It is not merely a compilation of essays but the culmination of years of reflection, research, and engagement with the defining issues of our time. It is also a tribute to those who shaped me. My parents and father-in-law, all erudite scholars and accomplished writers, instilled in me a lifelong quest for research and communication. My wife, Aini Hali, has been the wind beneath my wings for forty-seven years, supporting me wholeheartedly in every endeavour.
Senator Nisar Memon, former Federal Minister for Information was the Chief Guest while Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, former Air Chief presided over the launch of the book. Dr. Aliya Sohail Khan, former Vice Chancellor Women’s University Rawalpindi, Ambassador Naela Chohan and Admiral Haroon reviewed the book. The author brought out that books are often born of questions. His was simple yet profound: How do nations balance the sword and the olive branch? How do we reconcile the imperatives of security with the aspirations of peace?
Defence and Diplomacy is the author’s attempt to answer that question—not through abstract theory, but through lived realities across South Asia, the Islamic world, and beyond. The title reflects the duality of statecraft. Defence, as strategists from Clausewitz to Sun Tzu remind us, is about safeguarding sovereignty. Diplomacy, on the other hand, is about building bridges. Too often, these are seen as opposites. I argue they are complementary—two sides of the same coin, inseparable in the pursuit of national survival and global harmony.
The Holy Qur’an captures this balance beautifully. In Surah Al-Anfal, verse 60, it ordains: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy…”Yet in the very next verse, the lesson is equally clear: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it also, and rely upon Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” (8:61) Thus, defence and diplomacy are not contradictions—they are divine guidance for balance. This book is written to provoke thought, to challenge assumptions, and to bring clarity in an age clouded by confusion. It is not confined to policymakers or academics—it is for every citizen who wishes to understand the forces shaping their destiny.
Its chapters traverse multiple terrains: From war-ravaged Afghanistan to the killing fields of Gaza, from the battlefield of Ukraine to the prospects of rapprochement with Bangladesh, and recent air battles in the Subcontinent, the book traces the contours of conflict and the possibilities of peace. Many chapters are enriched by encounters with personalities I have had the honour to meet, or by moments when I witnessed history unfolding from the front row. The miraculous morphing of China—from caterpillar to butterfly—offers lessons in resilience and reform. Indian intransigence in Kashmir, the reshaping of identity under Hindutva, and the struggles of minorities under its weight have been discussed in detail.
The saga of Admiral Tasneem holds a singular place in our history. As Commander of PN Submarine Hangor, he sank the Indian frigate INS Kukri deep in Indian waters on 9 December 1971. That episode—when the hunter became the hunted—is described in detail. His courage remains a beacon for all who serve Pakistan. In an age of fake news and jingoistic journalism, The author argues for ethics, responsibility, and the building of counter-narratives to violence. Essays confront Daesh, PTM, the TTP and other threats, urging vigilance, unity, and a rejection of divisive ideologies. Finally, the author turns westward—to Europe, the U.S., and Russia. From BRICS to Bretton Woods, from Macron’s challenges to the Deep State in America, these chapters situate Pakistan within the global chessboard. Each section is not just analysis—it is an invitation to dialogue, to rethink assumptions, and to see Pakistan’s place in the world with clarity and courage. Defence and diplomacy is not a book of despair—it is a book of resolve. It insists that while conflicts may scar nations, dialogue can heal them. It reminds us that while defence is necessary, diplomacy is indispensable. The book is a humble contribution to keeping the heart of our nation alive—through words, through ideas, through dialogue.
The launch of Defence and Diplomacy is both a personal milestone for the author and a national reflection. It is a reminder that Pakistan’s destiny lies not only in the strength of its arms but in the wisdom of its diplomacy. It is a call to balance the sword and the olive branch, to prepare for war yet strive for peace, to defend sovereignty yet build bridges. In an era of shifting alliances, rising extremism, and global uncertainty, Pakistan must embrace both resilience and dialogue. This book is a mirror to our vulnerabilities and strengths, and a compass pointing toward dialogue and resilience. All the speakers showered accolades on the author for his inspiring work while a standing ovation was given to the writer.
—The writer, Retired Group Captain of PAF, is author of several books on China.
