LAHORE: There are some striking affinities between the political scenarios of Turkey and Pakistan, the same civil-military doctrine is strengthening in the two countries and there are bright chances of its success.

This was stated by renowned Turkish scholar Dr Durmus Bulgur at the launch ceremony of a book -- Pakistan aur Fauj -- written by journalist Zabir Saeed Badar here on Sunday.

Dr Bulgur said Turkey had come out of the vicious circle of foreign debt servicing and its economy was growing fast due to the judicious policies of its present government. He vowed to translate this book in Turkish language so that people of Turkey could be informed about the current politico-military circumstances in Pakistan.

The ceremony was presided over by former University of Education vice chancellor Dr G Mustafa Habibullah who appreciated the contents of the book.

Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh was the chief guest. He said that to him Zabir Saeed was like a book that he had read very well. Anchor Sohail Warraich said the writer had taken a balanced and impersonal viewpoint about Pakistan Army.

Saeed expressed his views about the paradigm shifts in civil-military relations. He said role of the military as an institution was very vital and significant and civil-military cooperation was the need of the hour as both should work to safeguard democracy in Pakistan.

“We cannot afford a new martial law regime. Politicians make blunders but these should be ameliorated through purgation process of democracy, not military dictatorship,” he added.

Dr Aslam Dogar, Iftikhar Majaz, Mian Mustafa Rasheed, Taseer Mustafa, Tahir Malik and Shahbaz Mian also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2016