Pakistan

After Bin Laden: ISI chief leaves for US

Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha expected to discuss Pakistan's position on the Abbottabad raid.

Express May 07, 2011

ISI Chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha left for Washington on Friday to discuss Pakistan’s position on US special forces’ unilateral assault to kill al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the garrison town of Abbottabad on Sunday.

Express 24/7 reported that sources said Pasha is expected to meet CIA chief Leon Panetta during his visit with whom he will discuss intelligence sharing between the ISI and CIA.

The military, however, has neither confirmed nor denied reports of the visit.

Pakistan has been facing the far right’s wrath at home and criticism abroad over the circumstances that had led to the killing of Bin Laden. The killing of Bin Laden has put a strain on Pak-US relations.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir had earlier responded to allegations against the Pakistan military and intelligence agencies by saying that the criticism is unwarranted and cannot be validated.

Bashir stated that the ISI has a “brilliant record” in fighting terrorism and emphasised on their success against al Qaeda. He dismissed the speculation that ISI was providing cover to Bin Laden and termed the notion “absolutely wrong”.

“It’s easy to say that the agencies were in cahoots with al Qaeda. But this is a false charge.” He added that the performance of the ISI against al Qaeda “does not compare to any other intelligence agency’s achievements”.

Bashir had said that the CIA and ISI shared intelligence which led to the identification of Bin Laden’s hideout.

COMMENTS (54)

D. Powers | 12 years ago | Reply You accept money to fight their war and then betray them. What do you expect, will they give you awards for your incompetence or complicity ?? This is madness.

francois | 12 years ago | Reply Abbotababd op.OBL. was scripted between isi and cia just weeks back shujah pash went u.s pentagon office to discus the script... opposition leader ch.nisar rise the question in parlement why isi chief left for u.s.a.

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Padma Lalksamai | 12 years ago | Reply @Nadeem Ahmed During USA visit, ISI Chief should seek explanation from Americans that why they had sent unreliable choppers. If no chopper had been destroyed, it would have been very easy to hide whole incident. Very intelligent questions that needs an answer and another question, so if a machine had such a catastrophic failure in operation but its only a machine what is the lame explanation from Pakistan about its colossal failure to know the monster of our generation was living a short distance from one of their prestigious military bases the Kakul academy ?

Rajesh Halyal | 12 years ago | Reply Beggars are not choosers Have to come to US doors for next allotment of funds.

Arsalan | 12 years ago | Reply @indian: Such stupid remarks should have not been accepted by the Editor. We are not here to read the filthy mentality and verbosity of mentally diminutive Indians. If Indians are unable to contribute positively there is need for Daily Tribune use some sense.

indian | 12 years ago | Reply pupit has just gone towards his master because master is not happy with his work. hahahaha............

s.shah | 12 years ago | Reply https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DolLoGQa3UY&feature=related can't say any more

Khalid Masood | 12 years ago | Reply Gen Pasha is still in Pakistan, not going to US but some of us went tooo....... far in our imaginations. Our ancestors organized a movement of "Civil Disobedience" during British Raj. Now the Raj is over and we have made Pakistan. But, somehow, we are still running the movement of "Civil Disobedience". Tone of comments I read saw in Express Tribune in last 5-6 days confirm my observation. People may be educated but most of them are ignorant, lack vision and are biased. In last few days I tried to clarify doubts of some of the people. But I think it is futile effort. So I would like to say 'Good Bye' to all those mourners who cry here just for nothing. You people cannot be put right by mere words as your eyes and ears are closed and your hearts and minds are locked. Anyone interested to know my comments on some subject may contact me on my Email khdmsd@hotmail.com Good Bye Friends.

Kazmis | 12 years ago | Reply @F Robinson: Why Americans are providing generous Dollars. Why after this Osama episode US calling friendship between Pakistan and USA will continue. Is it not collaboration of two evil groups from US & Pak? Why Incompetent and unreliable people are liked by US. USA is a big power on Globe, it should behave accordingly otherwise it is same as Pakistan.

Pakistan One | 12 years ago | Reply I want to put the record straight, he has gone there to collect the head money/bounty on his head. They knew he was living there, they provided him shelter there and the operation was known to them. What people are missing out of the picture is the visit of CIA Director designate Gen Petraeus came to Pakistan and met Gen Kiyani to finalize the details of the operation. The big question Why play dumb? Well play dumb so that Arab Muslim nations don't boycott you and the right wings dont gather with massive public at Meenar -e- Pakistan or Constitution Avenue to topple the government.

M.Srinath | 12 years ago | Reply "He added that the performance of the ISI against al Qaeda “does not compare to any other intelligence agency’s achievements”. That precisely is the problem.

SKChadha | 12 years ago | Reply @Khalid Masood: “We have limited resources and Pak Armed Force, at best, can fight back any Indian Aggression” Sir, please search your soul and list the Indian aggressions in last 63 years for which you require these toys. These toys are to defend your own Army for your own aggression? “We had limited Radars and most look towards eastern border inside India” “Rest assured there is no GAP towards Indian side” This claim will also be verified once Pak Army in future misadventure again in Indian territory.

F Robinson | 12 years ago | Reply Despite generous US aid Pakistan always plays a duplicitous role on war on terror. This monumental Pakistani deception has raised the issue of whether any pledge provided by the Pakistani military and Government can be believed, including the security of its nuclear arsenal.

NOOR | 12 years ago | Reply Everybody has right to protect his/her interests. His job is under threat and he is definitely looking for help. Best of luck to Pasha.

Shuja Pasha | 12 years ago | Reply Time to go and beg for some more money and then come back and tell long stories to Pakis.

Faheem Jehangir Khan | 12 years ago | Reply I am ashamed of my elders. I feel sorry for this nation. But I won't lose hope and courage so my children won't suffer what we are right now!!

Jeff L | 12 years ago | Reply It is accepted as fact amongst most Americans that bin Laden was behind 9/11. And it is also generally accepted that he was indeed killed, and killed for a good reason. Whereas many in the Greater Middle East accept it as fact that Americans are lied to by their government. They believe Americans are conditioned by their media to think that their government is fighting for freedom and democracy when in reality the government are mass murderers on a scale far greater than the perpetrators of 9/11. And to those in the Greater Middle East who state the above as fact, one can ask ‘how heavily have they been propagandized?’ Again, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. A question from the west: Do Pakistanis believe bin Laden was killed as has been stated by the U.S.? Do people in Pakistan even believe bin Laden was behind 9/11?

hassan siddique | 12 years ago | Reply dear Express tribune! ISPR has denied that he has gone to US

Nadeem Ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply During USA visit, ISI Chief should seek explanation from Americans that why they had sent unreliable choppers. If no chopper had been destroyed, it would have been very easy to hide whole incident.

Wasil Arain | 12 years ago | Reply He will seek forgiveness from the MASTERS and beg for an other chance assureing the continuation of employment and steady wages. Masters still need to be served and will certainly oblige. I wish him best of luck.

Angry Mike | 12 years ago | Reply mr. qureshi is correct, pres, pm, air, army, navy, isi; chiefs all must resign now.

Arsalan | 12 years ago | Reply @Khalid Masood: I agree with you that pasha has gone to discuss details of US militery pull out from afghanistan.

Blithe | 12 years ago | Reply Shuja needs to resign. The only reason he is around is because he traded Ratmond Davis for a one-year extension.

Begum Ziabunissah Hamidullah | 12 years ago | Reply When the Americans killed OBL they retrieved a treasure of information and probably all the information about the facts that our brilliant Pakistani men in place of power were helping OBL live a protected life in the midst of the Pakistani Military Complex while all the while they were boasting that they had no idea of his existence, Maybe Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha is going to America to work out a repayment plan to REFUND back to the American taxpayer all the money that Pakistan has wrongly received for a job they miserably failed.

jeremy | 12 years ago | Reply hahaah what is he going to say hahahahah what a joke our govt is now a funny show, hahahahahah off course no offence meatn

Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply Come on baby, we are waiting for you. We need more faithfulness from you next time, if you want to remain in power. We need proofs and not words. Take the terrorist out of North Waziristan now, if you want out forgiveness.

worrying paki | 12 years ago | Reply Wish the ISI chief could surrender his resignation to American president Obama Bin Laden

I_love_Pakistan | 12 years ago | Reply I think Gen Pasha's objective is to seek US help to protect his job in Pakistan that has been threatened after the Bin Laden's operation.

endisnear | 12 years ago | Reply Pakistanis should rise and ask for resignation of traitor pasha

Khalid Masood | 12 years ago | Reply @Chilli: You are talking too negative. Have a heart.....plz. We never equipped our Armed Forces to fight US Military Might. We have limited resources and Pak Armed Force, at best, can fight back any Indian Aggression. Once resources are less so then you prioritize. We had limited Radars and most look towards eastern border inside India. Few were deployed towards West, there were gaps in coverage and that is how US Black Hawks evaded them. If you want to cover complete Pakistan from all side then PAF needs more Radars. Do you like to spend more on defence budget for buying more radars ? Rest assure there is no GAP towards Indian side. And if Indians have doubt, they can always test timely response of our Armed Forces.

Khalid Masood | 12 years ago | Reply Elimination of OBL and Pasha's visit to USA are two different things. I do not know why you people are relating these to each other. DG ISI is going to US in order to discuss about Pakistan's help for the safe passage of US and NATO Force who are being pulled out of Afghanistan in near future. **US authorities wants to convey Taliban Leadership that they must not hinder this move back.** It is as simple as it is.................Why you people feel guilty and keep beat the bush unnecessarily.

Meekal Ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply I don't know whether one should feel sorry for the guy or not.

R S JOHAR | 12 years ago | Reply I sincerely hope that after all the grilling, the General is allowed to go to Niagra Falls to soothe his nerves.

suleiman | 12 years ago | Reply WTF this news says pasha left for usa and headlines are coming pasha leaves for us news is incorrect. pakis really dont know what to do, dont worry very soon US will teach something then ull know what has happened. One more thing if this was allahs fight then our hero osama wouldnt have been killed like a dog, a bullet in his head like the way we kill a mad dog.

Pakistan One | 12 years ago | Reply @qasim you forgot GHQ out of the list?

Mahmood | 12 years ago | Reply The tone of most responders is disturbing - many voice concerns about soveriegnty with no regard to the obvious fact that OBL has been running Al Qaeda with apparent impunity from Pakistan. Does anyone in Pakistan understand the ramifications of allowing OBL sanctuary? Cries of sovereignty will fall on deaf ears under the shadow of OBL.

ashwin | 12 years ago | Reply talk about outrage and sovereignty hahaha really are pakistani so easy hahah my god this funny

Chilli | 12 years ago | Reply You disappointed us a lot. The whole nation is in depression because of ill preparedness and inefficiency of our forces.

Adil | 12 years ago | Reply Now that sounds interesting. They labelled ISI as a terrorist organization back in 2007...and many of them continue to criticize the organization due to its undeniable links with Talibans,Al-Qaeda,LeT and only Almighty Allah knows who else!! But at the same time ISI's Chief is visiting Washington on an official visit. Well it's time to see how they react towards him if they really want to make the world a better place to live,as they say. I wonder if they're going to arrest this man if he reaches there since he's the chief of a terrorist organization. If Pasha comes back without any trial or in a worst case scenario, with even more aid for himself and his colleagues, then it's quite simple to guess that White House is turning a blind eye towards the suffering of the common people of Pakistan plus the democratic and moderate institutions of the nation at the hands of extremists and establishment, on purpose. One more interesting point to note is that if you go on YouTube right now and watch videos about Osama Bin Laden's death and the photo of his corpse etc....and watch comments, then you'll notice that majority of people/users are calling this all a big drama orchestrated by White House and American establishment. And all such users belong to other nations too apart from Pakistan and rest of the Muslim nations.

Khalid Rahim | 12 years ago | Reply Why this fuss about who is going where or who is chasing whom or who let down Pakistan. Guys and Dolls this is musical melodrama that we must play as Punch and Judy or as the characters in Alice in Wonderland or perhaps Midsummer's Night Dream! We actually lost our Independence on October 7 1958 when on behest of Uncle Sam imposed the first Martial Law in the country?

Ahsan Khan | 12 years ago | Reply What is the need of ISI if it did not know that a well known head terrorist was living as a neighbour under the shadow of Army Cadets for last 5-6 years? If it is known to the ISI members, then why they did not brought him to justice before the American did their own Justice? What is the use of the Army, if foreign soldiers can penetrate the Pakistani soil and space without any obstacle? Are Army and ISI subservient to USA and paid by the poor Pakistani citizens? ???

Someone | 12 years ago | Reply If he had any sense of sovereignity, he shouldn;t have gone at all. He's making a joke of us now

Chilli | 12 years ago | Reply Intelligence agencies all around the world need terrorists to keep their jobs intact. CIA and ISI did the same by fooling their respective governments. They still have plenty of terrorists in their pocket to keep their jobs secured for years. They both will eath major chunk of national budget and will have party together. CIA and ISI cannot afford to clean this mess they created and crafted by themselves.

Hmmm | 12 years ago | Reply He is there to let them know that the next time they come in pursuit of Mulla Umar or Zawahri - please let us know in advance -s o that we save ourselves from embarrassment. Shame.

amjad | 12 years ago | Reply How on the earth he and others like him ar still in the position they are in? How any one can trust them with any authority, power and responsibility?

TightDhoti | 12 years ago | Reply How about answering some questions to the people of Pakistan, or are American tax payers and their representatives more worthy for answers than your fellow countrymen?

Mulla Toofhan | 12 years ago | Reply Drones strikes, Killing of OBL, intrusion into Pakistan territory and. declaring Pakistan as terrorist Haven are consequences of Raymond Davis misadventure by ISI. Is Pasha going to US to reprimand CIA and seal commando ?? Or has he gone to get the orders for the next operation to be conducted by US in Pakistan. By now everyone knows that ISI and the Military establishment is an extended Anchor of US defense. Pakistan beware of another storm on the Horizen

sumeet | 12 years ago | Reply @Brother Qasim,nice to see you taking sensibly.hope many pakistani will also share your view and make pakistan terror free.

Faraz | 12 years ago | Reply Instead of answering to the people of the country that they are supposed to defend they fly to plead their case in front of others. Resign and leave Shuja, you and your organization and the Army have embarrassed this country enough.

Kazmis | 12 years ago | Reply Those who do not perform their duty well are called for explanation, then charge sheeted and then removal from service from the Boss.

Qasim | 12 years ago | Reply "ISI has a “brilliant record” in fighting terrorism and emphasised on their success against al Qaeda"; oh yaa? Thousands of bombings and suicide attacks on military installations, defence personnell, civilians, mosques, shrines, markets, etc. etc. are indisputable proof of its "brilliant record". Who are we kidding? Admit failures, learn lessons, make amends and start delivering on what ISI and armed forces are paid to do at the cost of immense poverty and sacrifices by masses.

Somdet | 12 years ago | Reply hahaha

deep | 12 years ago | Reply Now that it has been established that there are two factions in Al Qaeda and the larger faction is with Zawahiri, the money will continue to flow to the ISI. Nothing else, sadly, matters. The USA is nothing but another avatar of the British Raj. When the Brits left the subcontinent all they were concerned about was protecting their people and leaving as quickly as possible. Mountbatten yesterday, Bush and Obama today.

Mastishhk | 12 years ago | Reply Salman Bashir and Imran Khan should also Accompany Shuja Pasha..And may be if Possible Bilawal Zardari Bhutto can join them in USA.. Bialwal doesn't like to bow down...and the other 3 donot tolerate much...All this makes for a very very interesting setting..Im not going anywhere :)0

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