ISLAMABAD – The autobiography of General (Retd) Shahid Aziz was launched here on Saturday that contains his life experiences as an officer of Pakistan Army as well a citizen of PakistanTitled “Ye Khamoshi Kahan Tak? Aik Siphai Ki Dastan Ishq-o-Junoon” was released in Urdu language at the Islamabad Club. A large number of people from different walks of life attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, General (Retd) Shahid said that his book was based on his multidimensional experiences of life he witnessed as a child, a youth, a young soldier, a senior army officer, a married man and now as a retired army general. “I have passed through different phases of life and each phase had its own charm. Although there were ups and downs in life, yet every moment of life gave me the inner strength and courage to stand the odd times and cherish the good moments,” he said.The retired general spoke high of his family saying they had major role in giving him the motivation and wisdom to write the book. “My family always stood by my side. This book is an effort to bring to life what I have witnessed as an officer of a great army and my family deserves all the credit. There are certain bitter truths that I have revealed in the book because its time to tell the nation about the truth. This would not have been possible without the kind support of my near and dear ones,” he said.Naeem Qasim, the event’s host and preface writer of the book said that the ex-general’s account of life was divided into three portions about his family life, his autobiography since childhood and his transformation from an ordinary citizen to an acknowledged officer.“Shahid is a humble and down to earth man. I have found him a great human being, an upright soldier and a thorough gentleman,” he said.The book, Qasim said, is filled with poetic references as well as literary expressions. “Usually it’s unusual of the ex-army men to resort to highly literary expressions and poetic style but General Shahid is an exception like some of his colleagues,” he said.Naeem Qasim clarified that unlike some other retired army officers, General (Retd) Shahid himself had written his book while he (Qasim) only helped him with some ideas and preface writing.However, renowned analyst Saud Sahir slammed General (Retd) Shahid for breaking his ‘silence’ a bit too late. “Why now? Why did you not break your silence when you were in army and enjoying all perks and privileges as general?” he asked.“This is a great disservice to nation its like a slap on the face of entire Pakistani nation!” he said referring the lucrative positions Shahid Aziz held as close aide of General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf but blamed Musharraf for Kargil episode. “That time is gone past. After so many years now what’s the purpose of creating controversies? Every Pakistani deserves to ask why you kept this national secret for so many years?” Saud asked bluntlyAyesha Masood Malik also endorsed the view that General Shahid should have spilled the beans when he was serving in the army. “Alas it would have happened then, now that sounds a bit awkward and perhaps a bit too late,” she said.  Other notable personalities that attended the event included Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party-Shaheed Bhutto (PPP-SB) Dr Ghuam Hussain, Dr Murtaza Mughal, General (r) Hameed Gul, General (r) Asad Durrani and Ayesha Masood Malik. The family members of Shahid Aziz who shared their views during the occasion included his sons Major Zeeshan and Adnan, daughters Leena Shahid, and Sarah, daughter-in-law Shireen and wife Anjum Shahid. The participants and the family appreciated several aspects of the former general’s personality and hoped that he would continue his quest for exploring the insight into literature and aesthetics.