Pakistan - A Dream Gone Sour

by Roedad Khan

Fifty years after its creation, Pakistan continues its search for stability. In August 1947, at the time of independence, Pakistan symbolized the wishes and expectations of the Muslims of the subcontinent, united under the leadership of Jinnah.

In August 1947, there seems to be a crisis of public confidence in the country's future. The reality of today's Pakistan is very different from the dream. This book is in the main the story of six of Pakistan's presidents--Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Z. A. Bhutto, Ziaul Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, and Farooq Laghari--each of whom has, in his own way, directly or indirectly, contributed to the sens of betrayal and loss of confidence that is prevalent in the country. The author also examines the question of where sovereignty really lies in Pakistan and analyses critically the roles not only of the six presidents, but also of politicians, bureaucrats, the judiciary, and the armed forces, and concludes with an assessment of the implications of recent political events for Pakistan's democracy.

Genres: Pakistan, History, Politics

278 pages, Hardcover

First published November 27, 1997

About the author

During his service, he got to know two Prime Ministers Benazir and Nawaz Sharif and six Presidents - Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Z. A. Bhutto, Zia ul Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Farooq Leghari in varying measure. They all displayed vast differences in personality, character and style. He believes that each one of them has directly or indirectly contributed to our generation's anguish and sense of betrayal, our loss of confidence in our rulers, in our country, in our future, in our selves and the souring of the dream of Pakistan. In his words, "Every now and then, I put pen to paper and unburden myself of the things that weigh upon my spirit: The sense of being in a blind alley, the perception of our collective guilt, the knowledge of all that has been irrevocably lost."

Reviews

[MI Abbas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was a good way to end my year.

An interesting and easy read for a newbie, like me, who has no prior knowledge of politics as the author provides proper references for each speech or incident quoted.

Weather you are a fan of memoirs and biographies or interested to look at the politics of Pakistan through the eyes of a high ranking officer, who had worked with six Presidents of Pakistan and knew almost every other politician of our country, this book is for you.

This book is filled with historical anecdotes, in-depth analysis of Pakistan's political structure, inaccuracies of system, abuse of power, twisting and moulding of laws by selfish goverment office bearers in their own favour and their treacherous ways of blinding illiterate masses in the name of fake democracy.

The author's dream for a better Pakistan, however, gone sour as he lamented throughout this book, but as a Pakistani youth I am hopeful that the coming year will bring a new dawn where dreams will turn into sweet reality.

[Nimrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apart from some candid observations about some previous heads of state, as well as the admission that the USSR's motives were misread during the Afghan-Soviet war (haey us zood pashaimaan ka pashaimaan hona!), there is nothing to be gained from this book. Most of the time it is replete with cliched commentary on the general state of degradation in the country, generic comments on corrupt politicians and quotes (presumably) from pol sci texts which bore one to death.

[ayeshaxbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, in its own way, was very entertaining and genuine. I don't know Mr Khan. I have no idea if he was a bad civil servant or whatsoever but he somehow convinced me to believe him because my mother who has lived during Bhutto, zia and other regime and has been a loyal voter of PPP, has similar concept of history. My mother was obsessed with political history and current affairs and she has a strong memory. In her diaries, she has these tiny notes about current happening.

This book contains a prologue which tells about auther, his life and times and his encounters with different politicians and foreigners. Then starts the biographies of presidents as 'he knew them.' He tried to be neutral as much as he could but his praise for self absorbed Bhutto in the start amused me. Then comes his analysis about what is wrong with who and how to make it alright was okay. Then comes the epilogue and he sounds disappointed. It's funny and tragic!

[Kumail Akbar · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would should've been called Roedad Khan, a bureaucrat who is incapable of looking past his biases, gone sour

[Rabia · Rating 5 out of 5]

BookReview
A long time ago someone suggested me to read this book, But i always ignored the suggestion because i thought it will be boring book. Merely this time i decided to go for it and do believe me i was unaware of many facts and i get know those facts which were hidden from me although I'm student of politics of Pakistan.
Roedad Khan give his best here, he has divided whole history of politics into various chapters on the name of former rulers. This book, in its own way, was very entertaining and genuine.
The reality of Pakistan is different today from the dream which has been seen. This book mainly consist of six of Pakistan's presidents--Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Z. A. Bhutto, Ziaul Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, and Farooq Laghari each of them has, in their own way, directly or indirectly, contributed to the sense of betrayal and loss of confidence that is prevalent in the country.
If you are reader and love to read memories, biographies and interested in the politics of Pakistan of past you can see it through the eyes of a senior officer, he has worked with six of the presidents of Pakistan and knew almost all the other politicians in the country, this book is for you in this case.
Through this book he is trying to establish a conclusion that the dream which has vee been seen before the creation of Pakistan went sour, due to the different political policies , instable leaders and their decsions.
This book let me know about many internal things which are necessary for the students of politics as well.

[Aqeel Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Name: Pakistan- A dream Gone Sour.
Author: Roedad Khan.
Rating: 4.6/5
Review: Roedad Khan is renowned bureaucrat.He remained on key Posts since 1948 to 1985 in Pakistan. He has served with 5 presidents. He explained what happened till 1998 since inception of Pakistan which deviate country from the true path that Quaid has envisaged. How politicians and ruling elite mold things for own benefit and throw country in Economic, Social and political debacle's. How corruption rooted in County base. His most prominent tenure starts from 1960 till 1985. In, 1990 he get close to Old confederate President of Pakistan Ghulam Ishaq khan. He also describes the personalities of prominent politician whom he knows Quite earlier before they came to Power. Very good book related to political history of 🇵🇰.
Recommended.

[Zaryab Fatima]

Fifty years after its creation, Pakistan continues its search for stability. In August 1947, at the time of independence, Pakistan symbolized the wishes and expectations of the Muslims of the subcontinent, united under the leadership of Jinnah.

In August 1947, there seems to be a crisis of public confidence in the country's future. The reality of today's Pakistan is very different from the dream. This book is in the main the story of six of Pakistan's presidents--Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Z. A. Bhutto, Ziaul Haq, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, and Farooq Laghari