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Transform muscle-flexing ISI into civil intelligence
Every state apparatus requires intelligence agencies, and Pakistan is no different. There are actually three well...
Previous abuses of power should put intelligence reform at the top of the agenda for change.
Every state apparatus requires intelligence agencies, and Pakistan is no different. There are actually three well known intelligence agencies in Pakistan: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Military Intelligence (MI), and ISI. There are 26 intelligence agencies in the US.
Somehow, the ISI and the CIA are the two that are most demonized.
The turmoil in Pakistan’s past has led to censure of the ISI. A visible feature of the ISI’s history that has done great damage to its reputation is the continual deterioration of civilian institutions due to multiple military coups. Despite some improvements in civil-military relations in recent years, the army remains a dominant actor in Pakistan’s political makeup.
Previous abuses of power should put intelligence reform at the top of the agenda for change. Before Pakistan can continue its democratic transition, these changes must be addressed. It seems some corrections to the system have already been made; ISI has recently demonstrated a previously unseen forthrightness with both local and international media.
However, the international community continues to blame the country’s problems on the ISI, but still maintains working relations with the agency. Often, these relations undermine the democratic government and vindicate the very intelligence actors that need to be controlled. This double standard can be avoided by direct involvement with the Pakistani government, rather than going through intelligence services.
Additionally, the integration of former ISI agents into other civilian bodies, particularly the IB, should be limited or stopped. Cross-recruitment prevents organizations from becoming independent.
Pakistan also needs to strengthen the police force. A better-trained and better-equipped police force can do a better job of counter terrorism, which work is currently used by the intelligence agencies to legitimize control over politics in Pakistan.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano says that the US government is prepared to help develop Pakistan’s law enforcement infrastructure. From training police to setting up point-of-entries at Pakistan-Afghanistan borders, the US can help Pakistan using its experience regulating the US-Mexico border.
Ignoring the need to establish supremacy over the intelligence community would be a grave mistake on the part of Pakistan’s civilian government. Reducing the role of the military in the intelligence sector will allow the government to consolidate itself domestically, so it should be a top priority. In addition, government control over military and intelligence will cast a positive light on the state of Pakistan’s emerging democracy, and will improve international opinions of Pakistan.
Although reform to intelligence agencies will be difficult, the good news is that with patience, resolve, and international assistance, Pakistan’s government can indeed reassert civilian control over the intelligence community. Luckily for Pakistan, there are predecessors to take notes from. Indonesia and Chile have both undergone transformations in the intelligence arena and have plenty to offer Pakistan by way of example.
Intelligence agencies reform in Indonesia and Chile became a reality after media began exposing the atrocities and, people had the courage to reject authoritarianism. Reform of the murky Indonesian intelligence service, Badan Intelijen Negara (BIN), were spurred by revelations that emerged in the trial of the alleged killer of the country’s top human right activist.
Munir Said Thalib, died from arsenic poisoning while on a flight on Garuda, Indonesia’s national airline, from Jakarta to Amsterdam via Singapore on Sept. 7, 2004. Indonesian media exposed the hands behind Munir’s murder.
Extensive exposure by the mass media of the massive human rights violations and power abuse by the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), led to the abrupt breakdown in its public image. And, the abolition of “Dwifungsi ABRI” (the dual-function of the military) became a major demand of the pro-democracy movement.
In this same sense, the Pakistani media’s role is necessary to question the functioning of ISI. To cite but one example, there has been no follow-up on Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s accusations of ISI agents, kidnapping her.
In saying all this, though, we must remember not to throw out the baby with the bath water. Like any other state, Pakistan needs a strong defense system. Calling for military and intelligence reform should not be confused with anti-nationalism; we must always remember the sacrifices of those foot soldiers that valiantly put their lives on the line for their nation’s security.
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. Reach him at i@ibrahimsajidmalick.com
Reader Comments (49)
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Your article is insightful, but lets not forget the political arena of the country has long been corrupt and the first thing which comes to mind when one thinks of current government,. in this respect, putting ISI in civilian control would do nothing more then even further harm the safety of the country. Under political control ISI would lose its effectiveness and heance the wall of safeguard of people living here in Pakistan will come in danger…Recommend
I would not trust politicians, feudals and landlords to handle Pakistan’s intelligence. The ISI is the only part of Pakistan that has courage and authority to take decissions what is deemed best for Pakistan.
none from teh political establishment has shown or is showing any serious consideration for doing best for the suffering people.
The political structure needs to be reformed where a common man has his say and powerful are held accountable, prior to start handing over country’s security in their hands.
The focus for West should be to empower a secular and ordinary Pakistani first!Recommend
i read your whole article and the whole article focuses more on reforming and bringing Army & ISI in civilian control. which is good but in ideal circumstances. have you ever asked what people working at intelligence agencies and army think about the current situation. these two are the only institutions who safeguarding Pakistan. no civil institution is not performing its duty with honesty and full commitment.
our government, police, so-called free judiciary are all corrupt. our rulers themselves involve generals and intelligence in politics and use them against their opponents. so in such circumstances how you expect form ISI and Army to remain unbiased??? and most importantly if they are doing work Bhal siphai(cleaning canals), meter checking by a fauji jawan, law & order within cities. if they are doing all the work and government employees are only getting salaries.you people only criticize them but from their side they are bound by rules and don’t answer such unfair allegations. lets first reform government, judiciary, bureaucracy, police and politicians and then think of reforming least dishonest and corrupt institutions and putting them under corrupt administration. i hope you won’tRecommend
Ibrahim Sahab, finally someone has the courage to speak the truth. Majority of Pakistanis know that ISI must be reigned in. Democracy is the awnser to all our ills. Even if our politicians are corrupt- they are atleast people that we elect. Even a weak and corrupt democracy is better than miliary rule.Recommend
Do you know that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the so-called civilian, democratic leader, brought the ISI into politics to serve his political interests? It was ZAB who issued the executive order creating a political cell within the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) with the purpose of influencing political processes in Pakistan? This fateful decision in 1975 eventually brought ZA Bhutto’s own downfall when he used this cell to unnecessarily rig the 1977 elections and was overthrown and executed by General Zia-ul-Haq. It was also this cell that helped Nawaz Sharif , a protege of General Zia-ul-Haq, get elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan after the General’s death in a mysterious air crash followed by a brief term in office by Benazir Bhutto. In 1990 the ISI received 140m rupees (US$2.2m at current values) to rig national elections, according to supreme court testimony by the then chief of army staff, General Mirza Aslam Beg.Recommend
The case of missing persons brought General Musharraf in confrontation with judiciary but the reinstated, all powerful judges have not pursued this matter with the same zeal. Making civilian government the sovereign authority in the country is not a ‘chicken or egg first’ type question. Institutions and rules are there to take care of corrupt individuals. The suggestion that ISI and army should not become subservient to civilian government because we have corrupt politicians completely disregards the rule of law. Waiting for pious individuals to take charge before handing over sovereignty to the people of Pakistan is another excuse for illegitimate occupation of power by unelected institutions. Peace.Recommend
Dear Sir, most respectfully I must say that I am delighted to see such daring discussion in Pakistani newspaper. I never knew that Pakistani newspapers were free to discuss such sensitive topics. Beyond that I will not say a word because this is Pakistan’s internal matter.
Regards,Recommend
I think one of the problems here is that when the author suggest civilian control, its not clear to everyone what that means. An intelligence agency by its nature, should be independent of any external influence which may sway its performance. The arguments that apply to not having it under civilian control equally apply to military control. The loyalty and priority of intelligence agencies will always be questioned as long as their is a perception, despite the reality, that its serving the Army’s interest. There seems to be no accountability, so even if its ridden with self interest or whether its a model institution of impeccable values, we dont really know either way do we? Everyone who argues that we need to reform the government, and bureaucracy and the judiciary are right, it needs to be reformed. But then again when you have serving ISI colonels roughing up lawyers on the steps of the Supreme Court because in their view they had criticized the Army, one cannot set a hired standard to some arms of the state, and accept the actions of the other arm as ones patriotic duty without question. Then again as a bloody civilian who has never offered any qurbani for his country, what do I know.Recommend
Also, if one questions the motivation or efficiency of government departments, is anyone surprised that the civil service is neither able to attract the best candidates, and neither is it able to motivate them. Take the foreign office for example, where so many career diplomats fail to become ambassador because a general gets appointed instead, and serve years without getting promoted to a higher grade. What motivation is there for them?Recommend
This is a a very important discussion, although unfortunately in most current nation states throughout the world, save a few, it is in fact the security establishment which directs the “democratic” government. They usually determine who the possible choices are and then the public chooses from amongst “approved” candidates and parties. The security establishment usually ensures that foreign policy as well as core issues in domestic policy are unaltered. The differences amongst the various parties are usually minor and there is usually convergence on core ideological positions. Military dicatorships (such as many Latin American countries) were in the past superpower proxy states that had historically ignored the need for this facade. Pakistan used to be in that category. I’m not sure where in the world real meaningful and substantive choice exists. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for it; and that may necessitate taking baby steps, as this article proposes.Recommend
Blaming ISI is in fashion with most of the people. Lets not point finger towards both politicians and the military janta for a while, what do we see. A nation which does little hard work but it demands are endless. Free education, Free treatment and many more things but on ground we hardly contribute anything. We want to fill our banks with money and inflate our personal bank accounts but we want the government to spend more and more on us. A nation approaching 170 million of population has less then 1.3 million tax payers. We make hue and cry about the loss of government writ in the tribal areas but what about the rest of the country, do we have any governance there or any writ of the government, The answer is a Big NO. 100% citizens of Pakistan are doing what they want to do, uncontrolled or unregulated businesses without any regard for any regulatory laws.
Political Parties are crowded by few families, and these families are ruling at least three provinces out of four if not all of them. So undemocratic political parties are claiming as the champions of democracy.
Pakistan Army is the only institution which is standing tall on its own, Pakistan army has defeated Taliban with in four months since the lauch of their decisive battle is swat and else where. ISI has played a key role in the success.
Isreal, India, America and Germany all have military adventures as part of their history to protect their interests. ISI must keep on working the way it has been doing. As a Pakistani we all must support our only viable institution.Recommend
Very good article. I appreciate writers clarity of thought and honesty of idea. This topic will not make him popular – but we should be talking about this over and over. What happened to Aafia Siddiqui?Recommend
I am all for bringing ISI under civilian rule but who the hell will bring the so called ‘democratic rulers’ under true civilian rule.
Only a true leader of masses can tame ISI. The current lot of pocket lining politicians would rather get along with military establishment to save their own skins from corruption charges.Recommend
this is just not good, criticising our own people who give everything for our saftey THE ISI why is this arguement on the world’s media about ISI and our nuclear programme? WHY??? it should totally be banned!!
pakistan is ISI and ISI is pakistan!
these civilian govts. the corrupts,the thiefs.u mean, to give ISI under their control? i am sorry dear u really need to think againRecommend
Ibrahim Sajid Malick
You have started a debate vital to democracy in Pakistan. If Pakistan has to survive peacefully, rule of law must be implemented. Military must obey the constitution and ISI should be run under the civilian rule. Pakistan’s integrity and security has been the excuse to subjugate Pakistanis under subsequent despotic autocracy. Sovereignty of civilian rule and imposition of law and order emanating from representative institutions put in place with a public mandate is the only way forward. Congratulations for pioneering a very important national discourse.Recommend
ISI (army) the only barrier between the safety of Pakistan (rest of the half). Others are afraid of ISI (army) capabilities.
Main target is bring Pakistan down, they can’t do it unless ISI (Army) safeguarding Pakistan. They have change their tactics and started criticizing ISI (indirectly Pakistan Army), bringing this wall down Pakistan will come down as USSR.
(read two books from ex ISI operative, books name GHAZI & JANBAZ)Recommend
ISI is beyond public debate and discussion because it is the most important section of defense. ISI does nothing within our boundry. ISI exists to protect us from evil designs of India, America, and Israel. And if it was not ISI we will be enslaved by Indians or killed by Israel.Recommend
@ Malik Rashid
Where do u get this idea that ISI is responsible for missing persons? Just because this writer claims that Afia Siddiqio who herself was a danger to our nation – was arrested by ISI. Prove that ISI has kidnapped anyone. No one in their right mind will ever say that.Recommend
@Bilal – pakistan is ISI and ISI is pakistan! – This is why those in power are able to get away with whatever they want. In our minds the dominant narrative equates patrioitism with blind institutionalism. On the one hand we have absolutely no accountability and information of what goes on, on a daily basis in the ISI. How can one be so blindly supportive of something without knowing the facts?
What ironic is that in the embedded link in the start of this article, the ISI is trying to win over foreign journalists to improve its perception globally. They are willing to open up their doors and welcome foreign journalists and give briefings – when was the last time you heard of a group of Pakistani journalists being welcomed into the ISI’s headquarters in Abpara?Recommend
It is amazing how people become so much fearless behind their computer screen. If there was a rally in Karachi or Lahore against ISI not a single person will show up. All this argument against ISI is nothing serious. ISI is and will remain the supreme institution of Pakistan. Head of ISI directly reports to COAS. and That is the best mechanism.Recommend
ISI is the protector of our country. After ofcourse Allah almighty. As long as ISI and Pak Army remain intact in the current form our homeland is secure by the grace of Allah ofcourse.
Long Live Pak Army!
Long Live Pakistan!Recommend
@Syed Nadir El Edroos
Patriotism means being able to defend our country and speak for it even at bad times. I know for sure that man trustworthy Pakistani journalists who have no suspicious ties to Americans or Indians or Israelis are welcome and given briefings. If you are a journalist you should know how to get to them. If you are honest Pakistani ISI will take care of you.
So once again repeat- ISI is Pakistan and Pakistan is ISI. No separate of state and apparatus.Recommend
Are you saying all the missing persons were dishonest Pakistani’s then?
I really do hope that things are as black and white as you suggest, that would indeed make things much simpler, but please consider the alternative.
If you define patriotism as: speaking for your country even in bad times, does that mean that you acknowledge that there is a problem?Recommend
Very brave article. It is a taboo in Pakistan to write about ISI and it is also very dangerous. But this author deserves kudos for writing it so clearly. We should follow Indonesia and Chile as a model and not worry too much about India.
If we keep writing about it one day believe me there will be change.
Thank you, Mr. Malick for starting this dialogue. May Allah protect you and bless you.Recommend
Afia was never picked up by the ISI.The US provided her opportunity to get education, a house,a job.The $s, she earned ,were used by her, to promote terrorism against US.She was caught,in a street in Ghazni.Read her husband’s statement.99% operators of ISI are not involved in internal politics.They are doing a great job for this country.There is no political cell as such in ISI.The ISI reports to the Prime Minister.Remember DG ISI,Gen Zia u Din,he was reporting to Nawaz Sharif.Gen Kallu reported to BB Shaheed.The system of civilian control, over ISI,in written form is there.The Pakistani middle class ,specially from Central Punjab,and elite chattering groups,look down upon politicians with contempt.Army follows middle class morality.They generally have a very low opinion about politicians.So the civilian control over the ISI is selectively practiced.In case there is no Military intervention,for at least 10 to 15 years,the system would start functioning.No change in rules is required.Recommend
Jaffar Khan,
How can say with confidence that Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was not kidnapped by ISI. Read statements of her lawyers. She has told them the she kept under ISI custody.
ISI has bad rapport because of what they have to other Pakistanis. We don’t care what they outside Pakistan. But domestically they should understand that Pakistani civilians pay their salary. Also,they are not law enforcement people.Recommend
Dear Mr. Jaffar Khan,
With all due respect I beg to differ from your opinion expressed above. ISI was supposed to be one of the many departments of the Pakistani army under leaderships of lieutenant generals Akhtar Usmani and Hamid Gul had transformed into most powerful center of power of Pakistan even by bringing own parent the army and the army generals under absolute control of ISI. Moreover, the ISI has unbreakable steel grip over entire administrative set-up of Pakistan since decades, may be some ministers may not have been under control of ISI but never the administration. That makes the ISI secrets remain secrets forever despite of real democratic parties forming the governments in Pakistan.
First time when Benazir Bhutto was to lead the country as Prime Minister, she was made to agree to the three main conditions by the then President who was very carefully planted puppet of Hamid Gul and ISI. First of the four conditions was not to interfere in military and ISI affairs, second, no enquiries of military and ISI expenditures and officials, third no attempts to curtail presidential powers to select and appoint supreme court judges and powers to dismiss elected governments. However, defying the agreement she insisted on transfer of powers to appoint judges from president to the prime minister, the President dismissed her from the premiership. Since then every prime minister and his council of ministers follow those conditions.Recommend
Musharraf confessed that army sold Pakistanis to US. Toatlly agree with author, no matter how corrupt the politicians are they are still under scrutiny of various institutions like media and judiciary, but a general is free to do anything nobody can catch himRecommend
Thank Mr. Ibrahim for this great article. I believe we will only progress once we come out of the dark ages that began with the first Marshal Law and continued till Gen Mushraff regime. ISI should only secure our borders.Recommend
I must to tell you that Officers (both civilian and armed forces) are united on the subject. And their answer is never to fall directly in hands of any corrupt, foreign supported, puppet and imposed leadership. ISI cannot be an earning instrument for such leadership. do not speculate about organizations, people and individuals, whom you do not know. Your article is mostly based on speculations.
This organization is being commanded by a number of serving General of Pakistan army. Now, general are under command of GHQ as they are serving. And as everyone knows Chief of Army Staff works with Parliament’s approval on National/Security Issues. So, this should be clear to you that ultimately it is the Pakistani Parliament, which is controlling the ISI. No one has the right to decide the fate of various departments of Pakistan Government. Especially people who are not conversant with our culture, traditions and environment.Recommend
William,
You say “This organization is being commanded by a number of serving General of Pakistan army.” This is inaccurate. DG ISI (Lt. Gen) has a direct line to COAS. Pak army is not a matrixed organization where one Lt. Gen will have to report to multiple Generals.
We all know that COAS does not report to civilian government – he informs them if he likes. DG ISI is the most influential post.Recommend
pramilla
You write, “The security establishment usually ensures that foreign policy as well as core issues in domestic policy are unaltered.”
Your understanding of political systems is very mature. I like how you have exposed the facade of democracy. When you have to pick between Obama and McCain and both sing the same tune – it is meaningless. Both Obama and McCain were trying to demonstrate their macho foreign policy attitude. Because unless Pentagon, DoD, NSA, CIA decide no one gets elected in the USA. I am curious about your statement:” throughout the world, save a few,” which ones are the few? Please let us know.Recommend
No ISI is for Pakistan, not the other way round.
Thank you very much.Recommend
Public will was often referred to as populism by America’s founding fathers and perceived as a negative aspect of democracy. They then set up the electoral college to ensure that the “establishment” ie elites could still control who came to power in the government. They felt that the public was by and large ignorant and did not know what was best for them or the nation. I get the sense that many ISI officials hold the same negative perception of the Pakistani public. You have to have faith in people and their ultimate goodness. If the ISI and the military establishment had deferred a little to public opinion then Pakistan may have never gotten into the mess of the Afghan jihad in the 80’s and Pakistan’s “security” would not be so compromised today. Pakistan could have instead focused on health, and education, making its people its greatest asset and thus defense. Nothing is a better defense than a vibrant economy and an educated society. If American corporations were today as dependent on Pakistanis for IT support as they are on Indians, the U.S. wouldn’t dream of destabilizing it.Recommend
It is extremely interesting that you folks can’t resist blaming us for everything. CIA this and CIA that. At least CIA does not protect terrorists. Look your army has used rag tag Talibans to compensate for low tech, low budget army but you can’t keep doing this for too long. It has to stop somewhere.
I don’t care you how guys organize ISI just don’t promote terrorism.Recommend
Mr. Ibrahim Sajid Malick,
I really admire your courage to write on such a sensitive topic. I like your eloquence and style. I am very happy to see such an open debate at Express Tribune. I must admit I thought it was simply a blog. But I was very encouraged when I realized it was website of a reputed newspaper.
Kudos to Express and Mr. Malick!Recommend
I wish you had researched a bit into the ‘organisation’ of the organisation before attempting to write such a piece. While I dont disagree with the notion of having a civil intelligence set up, you did not offer any solutions to herculean logistical and administrative problems involved in such a process.Recommend
What happened to the counter terrorism authority? There is dire need of inter-agency cooperation so that all vital pieces of information are shared with the relevant authorities. These agencies must pursue the agenda of the state and adhere to guidelines of the civilian government.Recommend
SD,
I agree that author is proposing a “herculean” task without providing a detailed step-by-step on “how to do it” type solution. Would you agree that type of analysis is better presented as whitepaper than a blog entry. I think author has offered two pointers for setting up civil intelligence – example of Chile and Indonesia. Technocrats will learn from analysing these two situations.Recommend
Dear Sadia and SD,
Both of you make a valid point. (1) Establishing civilian authority over ISI is an uphill task and (2) we need ” inter-agency cooperation.” I think #2 can be achieved only when #1 is successful. Something simillar to Homeland Security in the US.
We should strive for civilian (Technocratic expertise with democratic oversight) leadership for ISI. It is not easy but there are NO other options.Recommend
Dude you totally rock! Keep’em honest Malick man :-) Pakistan needs hard hitting journos like you. Democracy rules! Army, ISI, police should work for the people of Pakistan. It shouldn’t be the other way around.Recommend
I think everyone is forgetting a central misconception… Pakistan has enough civilian intelligence agencies… FIA and IB the most prominent amongst them. ISI was not meant to be a civilian agency and should not be. Every country in the world has a millitary intelligence agency, why shouldn’t we?
Also, I’m not a conspiracy theorist and dont blame the USA for everything, but I would like to remind Mr. Wert about american sponsorship of Bin Laden, Saddam Hussain, Manuel Noriega, General Augusto Pinochet just to name a few terrorists, tyrants and dictators that the USA has patronized over the years. Please dont lecture Pakistan about organizing ISI in a self righteous and snobbish way, I’m sure your advice would be better directed towards the CIARecommend
ISI should be under civilian rule?
So you guys are actually suggesting that Zardari should have the reigns of ISI??
The stage our democracy is at, there are secrets that the political leaders cannot be told, even when they are in power, because tomorrow when they are not, they will divulge these to our foes.
And all these people who hate the ISI and the Army are just subverted by media propoganda. These two institutions are doing a swell job and are perhaps the last bastion of defence in the stability of Pakistan. Without these two there will be no Pakistan.Recommend
This is one the best articles I have read today. I like arguments from side.Recommend
This reform has become necessary in wake of the latest report from London School of Economics that the ISI is funding and training the Afghan Taliban. We cannot afford to be seen as playing a double game at this critical juncture in the fight against militancy.Recommend
Dear Sirs,
Most respectfully I must say that this report was published 3 days before an onslaught on our pride, ISI, from the western garbage so-called university. London school of economics has no reputation in the world and it is a economics school. why they write about sensitive issues? Please explainRecommend
Dear Mujtaba,
London School of Economics is a very reputable institution. Please do some research and you will find this institutions covers more than economics. Based on the report released last Sunday, this article has become even more relevant. I commend Express Tribune for publishing it so boldly.Recommend
This is a great article. Don’t know I missed it. I will be reposting it Mr. Malick. This conversation deserves larger audience.Recommend
Thanks Mian Sb for sharing. We must reform ISI.Recommend