NDTV
New York, Sep 26: After much publicity and lots of speculation, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf's autobiography has been launched in New York
Thousands of copies of his book, entitled "In the Line of Fire", could be seen in bookshops of the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
As Chief of Staff of Pakistan's Army, Musharraf came to power in a bloodless 1999 military coup and became a key US ally in the war on terror after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Inter-nation observations
The book reportedly has made several observations about the relationship between Pakistan and the United States and also India.
Speaking at the book launch, Musharraf said that he has often been chastised for being too candid, which is reflected in his book as well.
"I have been chastised by associates for being overly candid and forthright and this is reflected I think even in my writing style. I have not shied away from dealing with sensitive issues even from overly sensitive issues circumscribed only by national and international security, but I have kept that to a minimum," he said.
The General also spoke about how he knew little about governance when he took over Pakistan via a military coup in 1999.
"My life and my career had prepared me well for the challenges that lay ahead but I knew little about a governing a state or running an economy. I made a national reform agenda and gathered a credible team," he added.
New role
So it's been quite a metamorphosis for Pervez Musharraf from General to President and now to writer.
And while his role as leader of Pakistan has often been shadowed by controversy, there is no denying that he's done an excellent job of promoting his book.
And the timing of it couldn't have been better. The General has been the centre of international media attention at the UN General Assembly and especially after he made a sensational revelation about a US threat to Pakistan after 9/11.
This was followed by his meeting with US President George Bush.
The book will also be translated into Hindi, but several bits such as the Kargil war are likely to be left out.