General Arif was considered to be Zia's right-hand man and the de facto prime minister for some years. His insider's view of the working of Zia's mind and Zia's government will provide a fresh perspective on the politics of the time. The book also covers the trial and execution of Z.A. Bhutto. Arif's assessment of Bhutto and Zia, his account of the violent deaths of both leaders, and his analysis of the main events of the Zia era, merit the attention of any scholar of South Asian affairs.
Khalid Mahmud Arif was a Pakistani general who served as military ruler General Zia-ul-Haq's vice-chief of army staff from 1984 to 1987. His two books 'Working with Zia' and 'Khaki Shadows' are political and military accounts of the Zia regime from 1977 to 1988, and the two previous martial laws that Arif witnessed as a serving army officer.
As the man who ruled Pakistan with an iron fist for eleven long years,General Zia ul Haw deserves an exhaustive biography. His impact on Pakistan's politics was tremendous,and even today,thirty years after his death,he gets blamed for many of his policies. This book,written by one of his trusted lieutenants,provides at best,a superficial analysis of his actions.Bland,and disappointing.