S. M. Hali, columnist, analyst and TV Talk show host of Program Defence and Diplomacy's latest book also titled "Defence and Diplomacy was launched at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). DG ISSI Amb. Masood Khan introduced the book. Lt. Gen Talat Masood and Amb. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, who have written the foreword for the book, deliberated on the merits of Hali's work. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, the current Chief of Air Staff presided over the ceremony and showered accolades on the writer and the book. <br />Defence and Diplomacy is a compilation of selected articles written by S. M. Hali between the period 2004 to 2014, a very important decade in the history of Pakistan and the region. The author has divided the book into various chapters pertaining to relations between Pakistan and various countries. It also covers topics like Terrorism, Nuclear issues, Book Reviews and varioue prominent personalities. <br />In his address, the author elaborated the rationale behind the compilation. He mentioned his mentors, teachers and his honourable mother who was present at the ceremony of her contribution in his upbringing and inculcating an interest in literature. Hali also paid tributes to Air Marshal Asghar Khan, the father of Pakistan Air Force. Since the Air Marshal could not be present at the ceremony, Hali played a one minute audio recording of Asghar Khan's comments on the book. Hali also mentioned Air Commodore Syed Sajad Haider (SJ) a living war hero of 1965 Pak-India War, who had written the foreword of Hali's first book: "Pakistan Air Force Second to None" and was present at the ceremony. A number of foreign diplomats accredited to Islamabad, retired and serving Pakistani diplomats, officers of the armed forces, thinkers and journalists were present at the occasion. <br />The book was available for sale at the venue and Hali signed a number of copies purchased by enthusiasts. The book is currently on sale at Saeed Book Bank and Mr. Books at Islamabad.
