Books by Shah Alam

The book traces the genesis of Pakistan military's role in the governance of the country. With a focus on the military's political role, the book comprehensively explains the military's intrusion into politics and its implications. Governance in Pakistan is a complicated balancing act between the elected civilian leaders and the military chiefs. Primarily, it is a power-sharing arrangement in which the military has significant influence over security, defence, foreign policy and domestic issues. Delineating on how nuclear programme came under military control, the author states that the military can and will influence the nature and direction of political change even without directly assuming power. Since inception, Pakistan faced several challenges - internal security, law and order problems, financial and industrial constraints, and shortage of arms. The continued political uncertainties and domestic disturbances resulted in the expansion of functions performed by the military. The multi-dimensional role played by the military due to weak civilian institutions, factionalism and external challenges, accelerated its participation in the governance of the country. The early deaths of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan created a leadership vacuum. The successive prime ministers' inability in providing stable governments and continued political uncertainties provided opportunities to the military directly to assume power. The military under the leadership of Gen Ayub Khan assumed power in October 1958. The successive military regimes (Gen Zia and Gen Musharraf's regime) employed the same tools in removing the elected civilian leaders. Judiciary strengthened the hands of the military rulers by legitimising their coups through their verdicts, thus playing a crucial role in strengthening and sustaining the Generals. The book delves into the internal dynamics and external factors that increased the influence of the military in Pakistan's polity, economy and society.

The book looks into how The Revolution 1979 has left indelible impression on Iran's society, polity, and economy and Islam will remain as an ideology in determining the country's behavior despite divisions within political forces.

The book explains genesis, expansion, development, and modernisation of the Pakistan Army. It undertakes only the Pakistan Army and does not include the Pakistan Nay and the Pakistan Air Force. The book comprehensively explains and analyses the Pakistan Army. Initially, Pakistan had faced several challenges to meet its defence needs. Pakistan pursued strategy of external alignment to get arms and financial assistance. Pakistan obtained arms from various sources such as the US, Britain, China, Russia (former USSR), France, and others. It explains Pakistan's tie with arms suppliers and dynamics in their relationships. China transferred not only arms to Pakistan but also assisted in establishing defence industries. Pakistan-China complex relationship and Beijing's arms transfer policy towards Islamabad added intricacies in the regional security. Pakistan's arms acquisitions policy helped not only in expanding and modernising the Pakistan Army but also contributed in expanding and strengthening the defence industrial base. With the 550000 strength, modern and sophisticated arms, missiles and nuclear capable delivery missiles, the Pakistan Army has emerged a force in the region.