Friends Not Masters A Political Autobiography

Friends Not Masters is the political autobiography of Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, the first military ruler and President of Pakistan (1958–1969). Written with candidness and authority, this book provides a firsthand account of Pakistan’s turbulent political landscape, from independence to the 1960s.

Ayub Khan shares his journey from a soldier to the highest office, reflecting on the challenges of governance, civil-military relations, foreign policy, and Pakistan’s role in the Cold War era. He also addresses the United States–Pakistan relationship, famously declaring that Pakistan must have “friends, not masters.”

This autobiography is not just a political memoir, but a crucial historical document that sheds light on Pakistan’s governance, development strategies, and foreign relations during a defining era. Essential reading for students of politics, history, and international relations.