Islamabad; Jan 07, Federal Minister for Information said that Current Government is a weak Government under strong rule of Law. Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that nation should be proud of their Government which upholds the constitution and rule of law. On the question of Gen. Musharraf case, he said that Government has nothing to do with the case and it is up to the courts to decide the fate of former dictator. He was speaking at a book launching Forum on Biting the Silver Bullet organised by PILDAT.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, said that the book is timely one and its contents are important keeping in mind the post NATO withdrawal scenario in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan has paid high costs in both human and materiasl losses and Pakistan has lost more soldiers than the total number of NATO and US causalities in past one decade. He said that the Government has made a comprehensive policy to resolve all the issues with the neighbours. We must create an environment to save our next generation from hate.

Rana Athar Javed, author of the book, appreciated PILDAT for organizing the book launch ceremony. Presenting the book to the audience, he said that although Pakistan as a state has its integral problems but the international community has never fully realised the contributions and scarifies of Pakistan in war on terror. He said that Pakistan contributes significantly in UN peace keeping missions across the world. our next generation. One could easily see the type of intellectual dishonestly and our capacity in presenting ourselves in the world. He said that National security is discussed in a wider context in the book. not only of Pakistan but as how US thinks about their security.

In his overview of the book, Brig. Dr. Muhammad Khan, Head of International Relations Department, National Defence University, said that this is significant contribution by the author in presenting Pakistan perspective and contribution in war on terror and this aspect was missing in international media, academia and scholars. He said that the book also analyses the post NATO withdrawal scenario in Afghanistan. He said that in a highly globalised world the international politics are in transition period. Post 2014 era may add to further destabilization of this region. This book demonstrates the contribution and achievement of Pakistan's State institusions.

Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Anis bajwa, Defence expert, pointed out that the terrorism and extremism have become a fundamental and a real domestic phenomenon which are threatening the existence of the State of Pakistan. He said that terrorism is not a new phenomenon in Pakistan as sectarian violence exists here for decades. He said that security is a wider aspect than defence and security is safeguarding the national interest while defence is only to safeguard national territory. He said that Pakistan is one of those rare examples where there is no national security policy. It is fthe fundamental responsibility of State to provide security to its people. He was of the view that the sovereignty is now internationally called as shared sovereignty.

Dr. Saleem Mazhar, Former director, South Asian Studies centre, Punjab University was of the view that Pakistan was forced into war on terror and now this is hurtng our security and society. He said that the international media have portrayed a negative image of Pakistan and this book will help improving our image.

Mr. Kamal Hyder, Correspondent of Aljazeera TV in Pakistan, was of the view that after 9/11 Pakistan was forced to change its policies and Pakistan has no other option but to support UN resolution and join hand with international community in war against terror. He said that only handful of people have looked into the cost the country has to pay in war on terror and this book has tried to project the Pakistan cause. He said that the recommendations given in this book are of enormous importance and higher authorities should look into it.

Earlier, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, while welcoming the participants said that the democratic civil military relations in Pakistan should be discussed in its broader perspective. He said that Pakistan should make a comprehensive National Security Policy and strategy.