It was interesting to read the article with the above caption written by my friend Mr. Khalid Ahmad in the Daily Times dated 08-06-2004.

After reading his article I thought it was due on my part to render certain explainations to his observations on Geo T.V. of April 14, 2004. Mr. Khalid Ahmad does not know that my original interview spread over one hour and eight minutes but the editing reduced it to 20-25 minutes. I had given my own reasoning and explainations on certain questions by Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad on “Jawabdeh” Programme. I would refrain from finding fault with Mr. Khalid Ahmed because certain matters might have been put in the proper perspective if the entire interview could have been relayed.

Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad was asking me questions from my autobiography “The Ultimate Crime” and now translated in Urdu as “Jahan-e-Hairat” I wish Mr. Khalid Ahmed reads my autobiography and then he will find answers to many a question that he raised it today’s article.

I am sure that a scholar like Khalid Ahmed would expect a man of my background and experience to speak the truth. I, in no way, ever claim to be an angel. I have definitely committed many a mistakes in my long career but at the same time I would like to assure him that they were never pre-planned for any ulterior or personal motives. Mr. Khalid Ahmed in his article has referred to a “sifarish” by me of one of my relative. I would not try to the reservation shown by the writer but I must say that he is not aware of the circumstances in which I want to make a request to the then Finance Minister. Even my book does not carry all the details because of constitution of consideration of brevity in writing. My relative Mian Riaz-ul-Haq was a low placed petty official in the excise and taxation department. He was posted to Sargodha while his family has to live in Lahore. So, he had a very serious personal problem and I sought help of the minister which was not at the cost of any other employee. Here I would like to blame Mr. Khalid Ahmed because what inference that he derived from this fact, he has made a mountain of the mole. I am sure that Mr. Khalid Ahmad will like the retire civil servants to speak the truth-nothing else but truth and I had the misfortune or the courage to write all this absolutely honestly and sincerely.

As far as my observations in the interview about IJI is concerned I have just narrated the facts of what happened on the ground. I would not hesitate to admit that what Khalid Ahmed observe is absolutely right in an ideal situation. I must tell him that this exercise was done by me not for the favour or disfavour of any particular person. It was a situational compulsion and at the time only the national interest was in my mind because rightly or wrongly I thought that establishment will not allow democratic dispensation unless a viable political alternative was not thrown up. It was an idea and nothing underhand was allowed to take place. It was an open political advice which on my part being a civil servant may not have been correct in absolute term.

As far the role of General Aslam Baig and General Hamid Gul is concerned that is already known to every body. Infact, I was a very shuddery but my instinct drove me to such like conclusions on which I acted upon. On this aspect I would not like to take culdges unnecessarily with any body.