Buddy of Pakistan’s former military ruler writing ‘tell-all’ book

by hussain | November 24, 2008 at 10:33 pm

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A buddy of Pakistan’s former military ruler General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf is writing a tell-all book, which is expected to hit the market in a few months. However, the book has yet not been given a title.

Key aide to former president Pervez Musharraf, Tariq Aziz, is writing a tell-all book based on his experiences, knowledge and information that he gained during his nine-year closest association with him.
However, he is facing difficulty in differentiating what to write down in his book, as he is privy to so many developments that took place during Musharraf’s rule, a source close to Tariq Aziz told The News. “But he will definitely make several disclosures hitherto unknown to general public,” the source said, adding he was conscious that no state secret, damaging to the country, was revealed.
The book that is yet to be given a title will be out in the market in a next few months. The source did not fix a timeframe for it. Tariq Aziz, a friend of Musharraf dating back to his coup in October 1999, became his principal secretary immediately after the military takeover. He was the only civilian who remained so close to Musharraf while everybody else belonged to the khaki.
It often happened that he was the only civilian in a large number of high-level meetings dominated by the men in uniform. Tariq Aziz held the awe-inspiring position of principal secretary for three years.
However, he was later somewhat sidelined when he was made secretary of the National Security Council (NSC) as a result of palace intrigues to push him away from Musharraf. Although he kept advising the then-president, he remained at a distance from him.
Despite being moved there, Tariq Aziz kept counselling Musharraf on crucial issues. He was known to be speaking plainly before his boss when hardly a few would dare to do so. He had opposed holding of a referendum through which Musharraf had got himself installed as president. Tariq Aziz quit as NSC secretary before Musharraf had stepped down.
His friendship with the former president dated back to the FC College days where both had studied. Later, Musharraf, while being in the Army, and Tariq Aziz, while being in the income tax service, played bridge for years.