The only example in the world since tanks and aircraft came over the battlefield. As I mentioned that the book is very candid; just one example. Brigadier ZA describes his meeting with General A.A.K. Niazi. He writes,
“When I met General Niazi in the Eastern Command Headquarters, I failed to impress him, as I was a far cry from his idea of a commando. I wore glasses, had two teeth missing, did not have an athletic build up, and was given to disagreeing and objecting”.
One verse of AIlama Iqbal sums up everything about the book
آئینِ جَواں مَردَاں حَق گوئی و بیباکی
اللہ کے شیروں کو آتی نہیں روباہی
The ‘Special Edition’ is an improved version, as footnotes have been added, chapters are named and para headings given. And this was the most difficult part.
Since the author has passed away, so I had to get into his frame of mind, his writing style to give titles to chapters, and para headings. The second challenge was where to start a new para and where to end it. Then editing part to group and merge a few paragraphs to bring in the flow and continuity.
Another aspect which I have realised is about the importance of footnotes especially about the personalities whose names come up. One that by writing footnotes about them, these are no more faceless individuals and second is that the readers establish a linkage hence more interest in the book. A few footnotes for the posterity also as the things of bygone years are to be reintroduced.
Towards the end, a new chapter has been added giving a brief introduction to the ‘Alam Family’. It took me about almost a year. It has been a labor of love
My special thanks to Lieutenant Colonel Iftikhar Haider for joining me in this noble cause; without whom, it would not have been possible to produce the ‘Special Edition’ in a befitting manner.
I acknowledge and thank Lieutenant Colonel Zahid Mumtaz, Armoured Corps, for his support in tracing out the officers of bygone years. He has a tremendous passion for keeping record of Armoured Corps Officers.
I must appreciate Subedar Karam Hussain, my PA during the military service, for typing, retyping and again typing the script, with passion and patience.
My deep gratitude and appreciation to Mr Haris Alam Khan, for designing the jacket in ‘Black and White’ color scheme. This also depicts the life philosophy of Brigadier Z.A. Khan; he believed in ‘either/or’, and there was no grey area that he floated: so is the theme of this book.
To conclude, there is a message in the book for all of us, which I would like to share.
In the Epilogue, Brigadier Z.A. describes as to how most of them joined the Army. For some it was a job like another profession, and for others, it was a trust given by the country to defend it. Some did the job, and some fulfilled the trust.
So all of us, irrespective of the gender, next when we see ourselves in the mirror, be a judge and ask where we fall in this spectrum.
