ISLAMABAD: Dedicated to those who were killed and became physically challenged in the line of duty and their families or those who were caught up as ordinary citizens in the war on terror, the book: `Biting the Silver Bullet`: Role of Pakistani State Institutions in War on Terror was launched on Tuesday.

Spreading over seven chapters, the book is a collection of analytical articles on national security, military, strategic assessment, Pak-US relations, Afghanistan, covering aspects of terrorism and Nato.Rana Athar Javed who is the author and founder and Director General of Denmarkbased Pakistan House, an independent think-tank on international and cultural affairs, introduced his work before an audience from various backgrounds.

Pakistan army`s role in the United Nations peacekeeping missions and its contributions to the US-led war on terror in the region, where it continued to make sacrifices, were some of the inspirations which made the author to venture for the project.

`Foreign media`s professional dishonesty and incapacity of local media to broadcast events relating to war on terror effectively are also some of the reasons which forced me to pen some of my thoughts,` Rana Athar told his audience.

The writing also led him to think how the war on terror had cost Pakistan economic benefits, psychological deprivation and had affected the future generation of the coun-try, he maintained.

The author also argued that the role of Pakistans state institutions, especially the military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was unjustifiably criticised.

`Without their active participation neutralizing most of the foreign militants would not have been possible,` the author said in one of his important conclusions.

He was also critical of the US and Nato compromising their high standards of democratic values.

`International and domestic media, especially electronic have been unkind to really acknowledge all the sacrifices that the military, ISI, police and civilians have given since September 11, 2001,` the author writes in his book.

Reviewing the book, Chairman International Relations Department, National Defence University, Brig Dr Mohammad Khan explained how the book established the inherent flaws in superpowers` international policies, specifically to this region, which cost Pakistan economically and caused human and social sufferings.

Dr Saleem Mazhar, who was director South Asian Studies Centre, Punjab University said, `The author has filled a communication gap by explaining how the so-called war on terror has tampered our attitudes and ruined our emotions.

Defence Analyst, Maj Gen (retired) Anees Bajwa explained how the book emphasized on having a national security pollcy.

`Pakistan is probably amongst the rare countries, which does not have a clear national security policy,` said the retired military general.

Nonetheless, the author of the book, Rana Athar recommended that creating peace and harmony, improving cultural potential and national security policy could lead the country out of its present troubles.