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Retirement plan: ISI chief looking forward to golfing instead of spying?
Pasha has overseen one of the toughest periods in Pakistan’s history.
Petitioner says Mansoor Ijaz’s right to record statement should be closed.
ISLAMABAD: Arguably, it is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Heading a spy agency that has more often been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons is certainly a tough task. And perhaps that is why the incumbent chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha does not seem keen to get another extension in his service.
Despite speculations that the government may extend his tenure for a third time in an effort to ease tensions with the military, the Director General ISI reportedly told a western diplomat in an informal chat that he wants to go home sooner rather than later.
After heading the country’s premier spy agency since October 2008, Pasha is due to retire on March 18. He was scheduled to retire in March 2010, but was twice given extensions.
“I have had enough of it … I want to get out of it,” Pasha was quoted as saying by the diplomat, who met the ISI chief recently.
The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that Pasha appeared to be “under a lot of stress over the developments that have taken place recently.”
However, the diplomat’s claim could not be independently verified nor was the ISI willing to speak on the subject.
During his tenure a number of events took place notably November 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Raymond Davis controversy, the Memogate scandal, the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in an Abbottabad compound and then the NATO attacks on Pakistani checkposts in Salala.
The presence of Bin Laden in Abbottabad had raised questions about the ability, or intentions, of the country’s intelligence agencies, including the ISI, to hunt down the world’s most wanted man.
At a joint session of Parliament, convened after the Abbottabad raid, General Pasha had offered to resign over the debacle but the government didn’t accept it.
“That was a mistake. We should have accepted his resignation,” said a ruling Pakistan Peoples Party member, who was unhappy with the way Pasha pursued the memo issue.
He said that the government had already decided against giving him yet another extension in his service.
Recently, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also dismissed reports that he was considering a proposal to grant another extension, but said a decision on this issue would be made at the “appropriate time”.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2012.
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Reader Comments (55)
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Salute to General Pasha….He served the country well. I hope his replacement will be just as good.
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During his tenure a number of events took place notably November 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Raymond Davis controversy, the Memogate scandal, the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in an Abbottabad compound and then the NATO attacks on Pakistani checkposts in Salala.
Civilians have been hung for less, and yet this man didn’t have the decency to resign.Recommend
A POLITICAL SPY .. .????
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I wonder how soon we will see him on tv as analyst.
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General Pasha is doing the right thing by preparing to spend more time playing golf and not digging his heels to seek another extension. It is time for him to go. No matter what the reasons – i.e., complicity or failure on the part of the intelligence agencies – surrounding Osama’s presence in Pakistan, the fact of the matter is that it happened on his watch; he will primarily be remembered for that.
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Good riddance… Like he had a choice!
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When an axe is sure to fall, it is prudent for Pasha to pose as if he is not interested. But Pakistan Govt should let him go in view of his ‘achievements’!
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Both Kayani & Pasha are nincompoops & should have been shown the door on their due dates!
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General Pasha has been a massive failure, name one actual accomplishment of his ?
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He`ll share the stage along with Hamid Gul or probably, he can even join PTI. Pasha for President and IK for Prime Minister?
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@bangash: Mumbai drama :)
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Is it any professional to say ‘I am tired of it’? Clearly, when your entire focus is on trivialities, and not the real task at hand, fighting the merciless home-grown jihadis, you end up being an epic failure since politics is what few Pakistani politicians do well. So well that you find yourself tragically dumb. So anyone who replaces him must turn his focus to deal with the pot-bellied bearded fighters.
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Lets hope he’s a better golfer than he was a spy – otherwise other golfers are going to have to wear helmets.
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ET: @Munnabhai: Really? You are a very big mind reader (telepathic powers).
@Ahmad: He did offer to resign but the GOP did not accept it. Therefore, it was pointless writing it out.
Yes! Many if not all Pakistanis will miss him. His is a very tough job indeed.
Pakistan is not a ‘super power’ and for that matter, it will not be for another five years if the PPP is re-elected to the Byzantine corridors of Islamabad.
In addition, all you critiques have a big heart. Salams to Pakistan.Recommend
People looking for accomplishments here from Gen Pasha. I would rather say ” when the whole world is at one side and an agency belongs to Pakistan defends the rest’ isn’t it enough”.
ISI is a protector of our country and serving us a long time. We are proud of you Gen Pasha and so as on ISI hope your successor will do the same.
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@Roflcopter:
Served the country well? Seriously?
“During his tenure a number of events took place notably November 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Raymond Davis controversy, the Memogate scandal, the killing of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in an Abbottabad compound and then the NATO attacks on Pakistani checkposts in Salala.” Not counting the many terrorists bombings/attacks on civilian and military installations.
I sure hope to god that his replacement is better.
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He had extremely poor record
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Nice plan after retirement…Better take early retirement… Its good for the country….Spying is not your forte…. Let ISI choose right man for the right job.
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During Pasha’s tenure, ISI managed to stop 100s of terror attacks, which it will never get any credit for.
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He reminds me of the characters in the hollywood movie ‘Spies like us’
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it has been a tenure of failures in spite of unprecedented support by a democratically elected corrupt to the core government. hope he as a better time playing golf on courses built for the very elite that he represents.
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Instead of doing what they are supposed to do they spy on judges, politicians and journalists. It does not protect our country from anything. Recommend
we may follow india – no extention retirement as and when due – opening chance to fresh entrates – lets do it! extention in service is chronic disease……!
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@hameediK:
I agree. In fact, Pakistan should take inspiration from India in many other spheres also. We are after all your ‘Bada Bhai’
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He could have earned respect had he resigned for intelligence failure on obl.Recommend
OBL Attack, NATO Attacks, more then 60 hundred drone strikes, Mehran Naval Base attack, Suicide Bombings, made ISI image worse in the world in his tenure SO What did Pasha do????
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@Alarm khan:
Agreed
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Its better he leaves and the earlier the better…..Recommend
Listen everyone , he hold the nation integrity and its independence , don’t forget he is defending a country in internal matters as well as on the borders , he is all doing this for a country with no economic stability , buried under debts , buried under the unjustified international treaties ,working with a huge army with tight budget , a country which have to defend on air,land (both east & west borders) and seas .
with the given circumstances and PAK position globally , he has done a commendable job , I salute him ,I wish he can read the heart of PAK people
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Can we expect a civilian to head the ISI
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Well done Gen Pasha. When the whole world is on one side, everyone is trying to bash Pakistan, not even a single opportunity to humiliate the country is missed by the rivals, he has done a good job.
@wellwisher: if you have a civilian heading the ISI, it would soon become like Railways, PIA, Steel Mill, Rental Power or the Parliment itself.Recommend
our silent guardian :)
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Well done Gen Pasha. When the whole world is on one side, everyone is trying to bash Pakistan, not even a single opportunity to humiliate the country is missed by the rivals, he has done a good job.
@wellwisher: if you have a civilian heading the ISI, it would soon become like Railways, PIA, Steel Mill, Rental Power or the worthless Parliment itself.
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His big mistake was to accept his last one year extension.
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@Abdul:
Hey man, please get your records straight, khakis have headed most of the institutions like Steel Mill, Railways, Wapda etc. They are equally resposible for current state of affairs of these institutions.
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@Salahuddin:
and what the civilian government is responsile for?
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@Salahuddin:
I fully agree. When khaki is in charge, you get excuses for failure in more polished English, but they are no better as far as effective Management is concerned!
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One request Mr.Pasha, at least after retirement we expect you reveal the secret of how Osama Bin Laden resided in a fortified building nearby a Military Academy without your knowledge.
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I think ,it would be great loss to the state. He fought with CIA and defeated anti Pakistan Intelligence agencies while countering & unfolding their plans . He always have taken firm stand on Pakistan interests. Country still need his services.
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A great soldier and brave spy who deated CIA & RAW. He unfolded anti Pakistan plans and took firm stand in table talks with his counterpart of CIA. Pakistan still need his services.
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A General with strength of character and moral courage.
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Well Done! Excellent job Gen Kayani & Gen Pasha. We salute you both.
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munnabhai – thanks for appearciating my views.
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@Colonel
Because of the nature of his duties I doubt anyone will ever know what he really did – but since you asked here’s some of the things he was accused of. The Mumbai massacre, hiding/assisting OBL, outing CIA station chief, torture/execution of Saleem Shahzad, assassination of Rabbani, supporting attack on American embassy in Afghanistan, providing funding to Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai for illegal Kashmir lobbying. I am sure the complete list would take pages.
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I would argue that much of Pakistan’s tarnished reputation can be directly attributed to alleged activities which took placed under Pasha’s watch – the damage is significant and it will take many years to undue that damage.
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no one opposes a spy agency for Pakistan but it should be good
apart from haunting politicians what else has it done? it is a protector of army interest and nothing
Pasha should be tried for incompetence and misconductRecommend
From “Strategic Depth” to hole in one?
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I hope he writes a book on his tenure as ISI Chief.. Recommend
Thats what they all say while they are scheming and consorting behind the doors to get another extension and more than a few plots!
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Lets not jump to conclusions. Gen Pasha has done his duty as expected from any head of a spy agency. Besides, individuals don’t matter, institutions do. ISI, according to one foreign survey, is a leading intelligence set-up in the world, and most feared. ISI is under tremendous pressure lately, being the only hurdle in front of those working against our national interests. Also, remember when CIA could not prevent 9/11, why blame ISI for what happened in Abbottabad, Mehran Base and so on. After all, it is not easy handling powerful forces working to undermine Pakistan. No effort was spared to defame ISI and we seem to be supporting their cause. What a shame as a nation. Pasha will not take another extension and will go home. Another person will replace him and he will do just as well. Lets focus more on good governance and other issues facing the nation and leave the Army and ISI alone. Long Live Pakistan Army/ISI
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I’m not fond of the current government, but Gen. Pasha was an equal failure. His tenure was marred with the inability to catch Bin Laden, Mehran base attack, HQ attack, etc. He should have been sacked long time ago.
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It’s a great travesty of justice that people like Pasha are allowed to ease into a life of retirement, a la` Musharraf, while the victims of their institutional excesses carry the scars the rest of their lives. At times such as these one wishes there was some form of divine justice that would set the record straight for such people as these.
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@Aftab kenneth Wilson:
And I hope it doesn’t become a bestseller! I also hope that laws exist in Pakistan that prohibits intelligence people from writing memoirs-fictional or factual. Remember “In the line of fire” which I consider as a readable work but of pure fiction!
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@kala judge:
Apart from haunting politicians what else has it (ISI) done? it is a protector of army interest and nothing (else!)
I fully agree!
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where is his retirement home- US/UK/Canada?
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In 2009 everyday a sucide bombing was happening. Who shoul et the credit for stopping that
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