Given the non-stop turmoil in Pakistan, and the role of military in Pakistan's affairs, political or otherwise, it was understandable when Pakistan watchers took great interest in Crossed Swords by Shuja Nawaz. Almost no one knows the author except for the few fortunate, but there is a simple way to introduce him. Shuja Nawaz, the relatively unknown author is the brother of General Asif Nawaz, Pakistan's former Army Chief. Now that the introduction is out of the way, let us talk about the book itself.
A lot will be said about this book by the professional literary book reviewers. As always, the book will get mixed reviews, as most of the books do, and there is nothing wrong with that. People are paid to review the works of others. However, for this particular book, I don't think we can find anyone more qualified and more prepared than Ayesha Siddiqa, Ph.D. Ayesha has a doctorate from King's College in London. She was the Director Naval Research with Pakistan Navy. In addition to her superbly rich educational background and her respectable work history, she is also the author of a compelling book on Pakistan Army, MILITARY INC. Inside Pakistan's Military Economy. One could argue that by this criterion anyone who has served in the military is qualified to review the book. Well, yes and no. Yes, because people who have served can review the book, but that is precisely why they should not review the book because it is only natural that their personal loyoalty to the institution would compromise their judgment.
Therefore, the person in Pakistan who has studied the subject carefully and closely, without being a part of the institutional hierarchy is Ayesha Siddiqa. And it is necessary that we listen to her when she talks about either the military, or when she comments on a book (a book that was supposed to be "good" as described by everyone without explaining what "good' means).
Since Shuja's brother was the Army Chief, people naturally assume that Shuja's work might bring inside knowledge to the subject. However, as Ayesha points out, the flaws in the book are overwhelming. There is new information, but the author is convinced, and he mentions it over and over again that Pakistan Army is "professional" but he fails to explain what does he mean when he refers to the army as "professional'? Judging from the evidence, one is forced to conclude that by "professional' he means that army has continuously intervened in national political scene to protect its interests, that the army as an institution does not reflect any real understanding of the real word because of its detachment from the reality on the ground in Pakistan. If being obsessed with India or being one dimensional can be characterized as professional, fine, otherwise, there is no reason and justification to use the term, and therefore, the argument that Pakistan Army is professional is absurd.
Shuja should know better because his own brother served in the military and at the time of his death, he was the 10th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. Perhaps that is why Shuja is unwilling, or unable to accept that Pakistan Army is anything, but a success story. Pakistan. Without questioning Shuja's ability as a writer or researcher, one finds it utterly disappointing when a man of Shuja's connections in Pakistan Army, has failed to present a credible narrative worth reading or remembering.
Bilal Qureshi