Lieutenant General (Retd) Asad Durrani, the former chief of Pakistan’s premier Intelligence Agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has co-authored a book with the former RAW chief A.S. Dulat and Indian journalist Aditya Sinha. Asad Durrani’s book which is titled as ‘The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace’ reportedly features the conversation between two spymasters and covers a wide range of Indo-Pak subjects like Kargil War and Kashmir Issue etc.
GHQ’s Response to Asad Durrani’s Book
The revelation about Asad Durrani’s book stirred a kind of controversy in Pakistan. Former Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani reportedly said in his speech,” had any civilian co-authored a book with his Indian counterpart, he would have been declared a traitor’.
Ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif who was disqualified by Supreme Court, also questioned if there would be a National Security Meeting (NSC) over the book.
Then, came the response of DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor, who informed in a Tweet that GHQ had called Assad Durrani to explain his stance.
Lt Gen Asad Durrani, Retired being called in GHQ on 28th May 18. Will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book ‘Spy Chronicles’. Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) May 25, 2018
Leaders from various political parties acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s response to ask Durrani for the explanation.
Talking to media, Pakistan People’s Party leader, Qamar Zaman Qaira said, “Asad Durrani was summoned according to the law, so he should give the explanation.”
Chairman Jamat-i-Isalmi Siraj ul Haq also appreciated the quick response of Pak Army on this matter.
Debate Over Asad Durrani’s Book
Asad Durrani’s book became a subject of heated debate among the Pakistani Twitter users. What people had to say just reflected their opinions on how they see the civil-military relations and whom they side with.
If it was a civilian on the place of #AsadDurrani, He would have been killed or planned to be killed like Hamid Mir.
— Ali Jan Khawaja (@alijaan_khowaja) May 25, 2018
The best thing about being a military person is that even if you are summoned for treason charges, no one can dare touch you, on the other hand if you are even PM of Pakistan, but a civilian, the summoning may happen later but you are in serious trouble beforehand.
#AsadDurrani— Afraz Ahmad (@AfrazAhmad_) May 25, 2018
Those Who Praised Army for Doing Justice
Excellent decision, If Army treating his own generals according to Law Of Land then image of Forces will be enhanced.
Every Pakistani expect fair Inquiry from #AsadDurrani— DR KHAN (@drkhanns) May 25, 2018
Those Who Ask for Following A Standard Protocol
#AsadDurrani and Daulat both should have got their respective GHQ’s the opportunity to review the contents and sign them off. This is standard protocol the world over when books are written by sensitive figures whether it’s the UK or US. Both may have not followed Code of Conduct https://t.co/MKzbwnD9oo
— Anjum Kiani (@AnjumKiani) May 25, 2018
And, there are those who think that ISPR is promoting this book.
Actually ISPR is promoting his book now , if this is not the case these measures should’ve been taken before the launch. #AsadDurrani https://t.co/F2QirsKvob
— Bilal Azmat (@BilalAzmat7) May 25, 2018
What Asad Durrani Has to Say
According to Express Tribune, Durrani has defended his book by saying that it just recorded the perspectives of two people who had an extensive experience about Pakistan and India affairs. He also said, “rather than focus on who had authored the book, attention should be devoted to its content”.
Whether Asad Durrani’s book that jeopardizes the national security of Pakistan or India depends upon the nature of its content. But, the truth is that any debate on this book in Pakistan directly or indirectly roams around the nature of the civil-military relationships, with political leaders exploiting the event to highlight their alleged political victimization.
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 Asad Durrani, the former chief of ISI's book that he co-authored the former RAW chief A.S. Dulat creates controversy in Pakistan.){kind=link}