Diaries of Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, 1966-1972

by Craig Baxter (editor)

Pakistan’s first military ruler, Mohammad Ayub Khan, became the country’s first Pakistani Commander-in-Chief in 1951, and subsequently served as defence minister. Following a bloodless coup, he became President on 27 October 1958.The present volume contains the diaries maintained by Field Marshal Ayub Khan from September 1966 to October 1972, a turbulent period that included Ayub Khan's yielding of the presidency to Yahya Khan, the end of the unified state of Pakistan and the independence of Bangladesh; and the accession of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.The book offers authentic material for scholars, academics, students, and general readers interested in Pakistan’s political history, and will be of special interest to those who lived through those difficult times.Professor Craig Baxter has included additional notes on prominent personalities and events mentioned in the diaries.

Genres: Pakistan, History, Biography

610 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Omama. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of Diary entries, spanning over the course of 7 years, is kind of a sequel to Ayub Khan's autobiography ‘Friends, Not Masters’ which is replete with subtle and slick foresightedness of a person who observed the happenings in Pakistan in the aftermath of '65 war, till the uneasy events of disintegration of Eastern part; initially, as a key-player, and later, as a spectator.
From the everyday events; playing golf, going on hunting expeditions almost every other days shooting birds, meeting ordinary people; to enjoying being globally popular as a president, he has penned down almost every day with intricate certainty.
The records of the political scenario, division of East and West Pakistan and the wars with India are interspersed with scathing character observations of key political, military and foreign players’ active at the time. The narcissism and self-absorption is so evident. In Ayub Khan's view, every politician, military man or any person in the government, apart from his "exemplary self" was no good, glib, nonchalant, showing little forethought, with a slippery tongue. "Arch Intriguers, Cunning foxes, and Snake in the grass" are some of the phrases, being religiously used for the depiction of several public figures. ZAB's politics being branded as nefarious activity, as he's a man hungry for power, with zero regard for common people, scandalous disclosures about General Yahya, generalization of Sindhis, derogatory remarks about Bengalis are just some of the examples.
Ayub Khan was fearful and in fact, so hateful of the politicians, after taking power, he had to introduce EBDO (Elective Bodies Disqualification Order) imposing a complete ban on politicians till 1966; wiping out an entire political class. In some ways, Ayub was way ahead of his time, too. He mentioned a Computer factory visit in UK, where he comprehended and foresaw the worth of technology in business and industrial applications for Pakistan.
The impressions recorded after an 8 month stay in East Pakistan are particularly insightful, albeit severe.
About his stepping down from presidency, he entered in April 1969, which left me rather amused as to how self-absorbed a person he was:

It was a marvel that how were a divided people like ours held together by me for ten years, and made to progress. I can see very clearly that after the martial law is lifted, and politics allowed, and preparation for any form of election made, the turmoil of the year will come back with a vengeance. Large scale looting, arson, murder and rape will be the order of the day. Nobody will be allowed by the political goondas to vote freely. East Pakistan will separate, and West Pakistan will be split up in penny packets. Pakistan will exist only in name.

Ps: The appended notes at the end of this book provide supplemental information on the people and events mentioned.

[Khalid Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiographies are usually written with 20/20 hindsight. This this a diary, you experience history as it develops into an unknown future. What made this diary especially interesting was the last days of Ayub, the suddenness with which his regime ended. This was repeated 40+ years later when Musharraf had the same experience just when he thought no one could challenge him. I especially enjoyed the dairies, reading them around the same time that Musharraf was going through the last days of his regime.

[Asjad]

I originally was just going to flick through the 1971 entries because I was curious to see Ayub's reaction to the war but I found myself engrossed, reading this from beginning to end in a single day. It being a diary means you can get an insight to Ayub's narcissistic personality but it also works as a detailed description of Pakistan's most turbulent time period.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unique outlook of the subcontinent

[Atif Shehzad · Rating 4 out of 5]

despite some date and days discrepancies and unilateral view of ayub Khan, it certainly provides great deal of information during late 60s turbulent era. some of ayub khan assessment and predictions are spot on and applies even today. definitely a must read book for history students

[Samir · Rating 5 out of 5]

good one