At the Helm

Description

“At the Helm: The Inside Story of the 1998-2007 Governments” by Nasim Zehra:
Summary
“At the Helm” is a memoir by Pakistani journalist and author Nasim Zehra that gives an insider’s account of the Nawaz Sharif and Pervez Musharraf governments from 1998 to 2007.
Key Takeaways
Zehra recounts her journalistic and advisory experience with the government, providing a view of how power works from within in Pakistan.
The book covers the major events and controversy of the period, which are as follows:
The 1999 military coup and Pervez Musharraf regime afterwards
The 2002 general election and the emergence of Pakistan Muslim League, Quaid-e-Azam
The 2007 lawyers’ movement that compelled Pervez Musharraf to resign from power
Zehra has also discussed the personality politics of the leaders that also included Nawaz Sharif, Pervez Musharraf, and Benazir Bhutto.
Themes
Politics and governance of Pakistan
Military rule and democracy.
Journalism and media in Pakistan
Personalities and politics of important leaders
Important events and controversies of the era
Writing and Form
This is a well-written and lively book, full of personal anecdote, historical analysis, and political commentary.
Contribution and Relevance
“At the Helm” has received much acclaim for its incisive and authoritative account of a critical period in Pakistani history. This book therefore sheds valuable perspectives on the intricacies and challenges of Pakistani politics and governance.