Ex-envoy’s books call for peacebuilding in Kashmir

‘Reminiscences of My Wanderings’ launched in virtual ceremony

ISLAMABAD:

The book ‘Reminiscences of My Wandering’ places on record the call for peacebuilding with respect to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, said author Ambassador Arif Kamal on Saturday.

He expressed these views at the virtual launch of his book hosted by the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Besides Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Kamal said, the book was an amalgamation of his personal glimpses of historically significant moments, including the Iranian Revolution, the final years of the Soviet Union, the war in Afghanistan and the Middle East cauldron.

He mentioned that the book presented thoughts and experiences of his life in bureaucracy and the roles that he played in his personal capacity as a diplomat.

The review panellists included Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee former chairman Gen (retd) Ehsan ul Haq, former foreign secretary Ambassador Riaz M Khan, former federal cabinet secretary Ejaz Rahim and anchorperson Dr Moeed Pirzada.

General Ehsan ul Haq said the book not only focused on political and strategic aspects but also highlighted socio-cultural aspects of several countries where the author served during the 80s and 90s.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan said the book was a blend of socio-political landscapes, diverse societies, varying from the Arab lands to Japan, Russia, and Canada.

Addressing the webinar, Ejaz Rahim opined that the book was not a reassertion of the ideological self, but a fresh foray and exploration of one's self.

Dr Moeed Pirzada termed the book a valuable contribution and its timing apt as the world witnesses a lot of turmoil and transition in the Illegally Indian Occupied Kashmir and the Middle East APP

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2021.