Abstract:
I was the Foreign Minister of Pakistan during 2002–07, a most momentous
time not just for Pakistan but for the world at large. This period covers events
immediately following 9/11 as well as the Pakistan-India peace process that
made great strides in those years. In fact, the two countries were on the verge
of finalizing a historic framework of an agreement on the internecine
Kashmir conflict, the cause of five wars between Pakistan and India,
including three major ones in 1947–48, 1965, and 1971—Rann of Kutch and
Kargil being the other ones. The period covered in this book is also when I
was Foreign Minister for five years between 2002–07. It has been updated to
late 2014 (and in some cases 2015), with an analysis of the latest situation
based on experience and insights gained during my tenure. In order to do so, I
have obviously used my experience to reflect on recent developments in our
relations with India and other important countries. Unfortunately, no major
positive developments have taken place since I left office, as far as relations
with India are concerned, therefore, all that has been stated in the book as an
insider’s account is equally relevant today.
During my tenure as Foreign Minister, Pakistan’s foreign policy remained
focused on promotion of regional and global peace and security as well as on
the country’s economic and social development and the welfare of its
citizens. Amidst turbulent times, Pakistan managed to improve its relations
with all its neighbours and the major world powers. It is not possible to do
justice to all of Pakistan’s vital bilateral and multilateral relations as well as
to major regional and international issues in a single volume. The book is
largely about Pakistan’s difficult relationship with India and attempts to
normalize this relationship. It also deals with Pakistan’s difficulties on our
Western borders, particularly, following the Soviet Union’s invasion of
