Having served as ADC for a record six years — 1966 to1972 —Khan — who is the father of singer Adnan Sami—has had the rare opportunity to work under Field Marshal Ayub Khan followed by General Yahya Khan and ended with the democratically elected Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. In the book, Khan heaps praise on Ayub for his moral and professional ethics. He talks about the “teen-like” effervescence of Yahya Khan and has high regard for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s political prowess.

At a time when the world is wearying of Pakistan’s latest military ruler, isn’t praising dictators risky business? “I have praised them for their persons, not their dictatorships. I have also written a bit against Bhutto saheb. In am only presenting the truth as I saw it from extremely close quarters. I opposed dictators then, I oppose them today, despite being a military man,” says Khan adding, “Dictatorships destroy democratic institutions. India is fortunate to have democracy and it has worked well.”

So where does he see Pakistan headed after the elections of February 18? “We hope we achieve similar if not the same levels of democracy as India has. Democracy flourished in the times of Bhutto but he was brutally murdered at the hands of the next military dictator —make that tyrant — Zia-ul-Haq. I am hoping that now democracy will return and democratic institutions will flourish,” he says.

At his diplomatic best, he chooses to remain coy about America’s relationship with the forthcoming government in Pakistan. “All I can contribute to this dialogue is that the Americans nurture those favourable for their existence and snub those they feel have turned obsolete. Ayub went out of his way to appease them but when they thought he had outlived his utility, they decided to get rid of him. Contrary to the popular belief, Pakistan has also functioned without America’s diktat under Bhutto,” he says.

Why did he choose to launch the book in India? “It’s time we shook hands through such means also. We have to overcome the thought that yesterday’s adversary is today’s adversary,” says Khan.