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As ISI chief’s term expires, extension yet to be announced
Mystery shrouds the service extension said to have been given to the country’s premier intelligence agency chief.
Reports suggest Pasha granted year’s extension, instead of two sought by army. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Mystery shrouds the service extension said to have been given to the country’s premier intelligence agency chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, whose current tenure expired on Friday.
While there were unconfirmed reports circulating in the media that he had been granted another extension to his service for one year, no official announcement was made till the filing of this report, fueling speculations on the matter.
Neither the civilian government nor military authorities could confirm the issuance of an official communiqué regarding the extension.
An official of defence ministry told The Express Tribune late Friday evening that no notification was issued till he left the office. The defence ministry is responsible for issuing notifications pertaining to extensions.
Meanwhile, reports in the media speculated that Pasha would be given a year-long extension by the prime minister, instead of two years sought by the army.
Defence minister Ahmed Mukhtar, who said last week that the government would be giving an extension to director-general (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), did not specify a time period either.
Pasha has been DG of the country’s premier intelligence service, the ISI, since October 2008. Prior to this posting, Pasha served as the director general of military operations from April 2006 to September 2008.
He has already availed a year-long extension, granted by the army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, that expired on March 18.
Pasha is purportedly close to Kayani, who himself received a three-year extension last year. Under the rules, the army chief can extend the service of a Lt General for one year just once, without seeking prior approval of the government.
Further extensions, however, require the approval of the president and the prime minister.
Under the procedure, the office of the Chief of Army Staff initially moves such a summary, recommending extension of service to the Ministry of Defence.
The defence minister then forwards it to the prime minister, who forwards it to the president, seeking approval for the government’s decision of extending service.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 19th, 2011.
Reader Comments (10)
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If the extension has not benn confirmed, then send him home. “No man is indispensable,” as the adage says. It is inconcievable that the ISI under his command was unaware of the prolific CIA activity in Pakistan. Salams for 2011.Recommend
After the immense suicide attacks, Reymond Davis fiasco, No way should this General be given extension. Under his command, ISI performed pathetically.Recommend
What else is he expected to do for his masters in Washington after the release of RD to get another extension?Recommend
All this points to a boys club from our politicians to the Army. They keep on giving extensions to the same people so newer talented people cannot come up and are so frustrated that they leave the country. I think the Army should be disbanded and so the ISI, it has nothing to offer except promote terrorism, jihad etc. Let the resources saved from these expenditures be spent on the people rather than aggrandizing this clique.Recommend
He got to go!
ISI had been feeding filthy news and manipulating public sentiment. He being the man on top has to take responsibility. How come “extremely sensitive pictures” (of the backside of cows) allegedly taken by Raymond got released to the public through TV channels? If they were indeed sensitive, who violated the official secret act? Of course it wasn’t Raymond.Recommend
mill jayay gi,,,,,mr premier,,,isi cheif did well during davis case,,,,so you will get confirmation from washington as well,,,,so no problem,,,,confirm this extensionRecommend
Now they don’t even feel the need to announce it. Friday gone, he knows he’s getting the extention from the Landlord Uncle Sam.Recommend
@Imran: It surprised me that even the posteriors of the bovine genre was availabe on the CIA agents’ camera. The ISI has to clean up its act in the nations’ interest. The national mottos Musharraf gave us but did not adopt for himself was, “Pakisan first” and “be Pakistani, buy Pakistani,” must be in the forefront of all our policies and follow-ups. Sacrifice is the need of the hour. Thanx again Imran. Salams for 2011.Recommend
For what, is it friendship with Kiyani, or trophy for the release of RD or more drown attackRecommend
I suppose they (PM/President) will both call President Clinton for advice, who will then call Pastor Obama for guidance. ITS AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NO ONE GOOD!Recommend