Afghanistan: Mulla Umar se Ashraf Ghani Tak is a distinct publication of IPS Press – the publishing arm of Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad – on the subject of Afghanistan. The book is an assorted account of insightful experiences and observations of a senior Pakistani diplomat who has not only witnessed many important events taking place but also remained a part of many.

Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain has served as a Pakistani representative in Afghanistan on more than one occasions, whereas his services in the Foreign Ministry also had a lot to do with the country’s affairs. The writer witnessed history being made as well as torn right before his eyes during all this time, while having an opportunity to observe various landmark events very closely. You will not only find in this book the stories from Mulla Umar’s era, but also the happenings from Ashraf Ghani’s time; not only the history of Pak-Afghan relations, but also the insights into the Afghan peace process.

The standout feature of this publication is that majority of the events presented in the book are eye-witnessed and based on the first-hand experiences of the author. The author has also presented an admissible strategy at the end of the publication for the amelioration of Pak-Afghan relations, which should be looked at by the policy circles of both sides with sincerity and honesty. The given recommendations not only have the potential to improve bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, but can also pave way for achieving sustainable, long-lasting peace in the region.

Written in simple and affluent Urdu, the book is also a practical response to the demur that it is difficult in today’s era to take up a research and academic endeavor in the national language.

backdrop and evolving scenario of international as well as regional politics and relations, especially vis-à-vis Afghanistan.

About the Author

Born in Peshawar in 1958, Syed Abrar Hussain joined civil services in 1983 after completing his MA in English Literature, and then went on to serve in the Foreign Ministry for 35 years. During an accomplished diplomatic career, he most notably served as an ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, Kuwait and Afghanistan among other assignments, finally retiring as a Federal Secretary (Special Secretary, Foreign Affairs) in 2018.

Despite having intense official engagements, Hussain never stopped short of demonstrating his creative abilities. His poetic collection Tum Jalao To Dia was published in 2013, which was later awarded with Abdul Rab Nishtar Award by Abasin Arts Council. Later he came up with another publication titled Urdu Bahrain, two editions of which have already been published whereas the third is in the process. His critical essays have also been regularly featured in various literary journals.

Hussain’s diplomatic services in Afghanistan were rendered in two different eras. First, he served as a Counsel General in Kandahar during the Taliban regime, and then thirteen years later he was appointed as an ambassador of Pakistan in Kabul. He witnessed history being made as well as torn right before his eyes during these tenures while having an opportunity to observe various landmark events very closely. Afghanistan: Mulla Umar se Ashraf Ghani Tak is a collection of all those experiences and observations of the author. You will not only find in it the events from Mulla Umar’s era, but also the stories from Ashraf Ghani’s time; not only the history of Pak-Afghan relations but also the insights into the Afghan peace process. The standout feature of this publication however is that most of the accounts presented in it are eye-witnessed and based on the first-hand experiences of the author.