ISLAMABAD: Former Punjab governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar on Saturday said he had advised former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to appoint Lieutenant General Abdul Majeed Malik as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). However, after developing differences with Khar, Bhutto changed his mind and selected General Ziaul Haq.

“Had Bhutto appointed Abdul Majeed Malik, he would not have been hanged,” said Mr Khar.

Speaking at the launch of the book ‘Hum Bhi Wahan Mojad Thay - Dastan-e-Hayat’ (We were there too - story of a life) the autobiography of 96-year-old retired Lt-Gen Abdul Majeed Malik, Mr Khar said prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto consulted him for the appointment of the COAS.

“I suggested Abdul Majeed’s name, which Bhutto approved. Bhutto even had a meeting with Majeed at my office and congratulated him in advance,” said Mr Khar.

The former governor said, meanwhile, he developed some differences with Bhutto and decided to resign from the governorship.

“After my resignation, Bhutto changed his decision and appointed Ziaul Haq, which was a big mistake,” Mr Khar said.

He added that just like Bhutto, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also made a big mistake when he appointed Pervez Musharraf as COAS.

Mr Khar said that instead of Musharraf, Lt-Gen Ali Kuli Khan should have been given the top position.

Speaking on the occasion, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz said the writer mentioned in his book that dictators at the time of launching a coup never have long-term plans of staying in power.

“They come out of their barracks for a short time. But later, men close to them paint a wrong picture and make the dictators believe that the country needs them and they should continue,” said Mr Aziz, quoting an excerpt from the book.

He termed the book an important document, which covers many important incidents such as Kargil incursion and appointment of army chiefs. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister retired Lt-Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch said he also followed Gen Majeed.

“Following retirement both of us joined politics,” he said, adding that Gen Majeed’s services in army and politics were laudable.

Former senator S.M. Zafar said the writer based his life on principles. While writing this book, he mentioned everything he had observed in his long military and political career.

Former federal minister Syeda Abida Hussain, former governor Punjab retired Gen Sawar Khan, newly-elected PML-N senator Abdul Qayyum and former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan also appreciated the illustrious author for sharing incidents from his career.

The author of the book, retired Lt-Gen and five-time MNA from Chakwal also served as a federal minister and ambassador. He said to highlight several important military and political developments, he had written this book.

“This is a simple book, a solider’s story written by a soldier,” he said.

Published in Dawn March 7th, 2015

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