Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Ahmed Shuja Pasha is due to retire on March 18 and the government is considering new names for the post, Express News reported on Wednesday.
As reported earlier by The Express Tribune, among the names under consideration for a possible successor are believed to be Chief of General Staff Lt General Wahid Arshad, Corps Commander Karachi Lt-General Muhammad Zahirul Islam and Corps Commander Peshawar Lt-General Khalid Rabbani.
Despite speculations that the government may extend his tenure for a third time in an effort to ease tensions with the military, the DG 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 this year. He was scheduled to retire in March 2010, but was given extensions, twice.
“I have had enough of it … I want to get out of it,” Pasha was quoted as saying by a diplomat, who met the ISI chief recently.
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”.
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In fact we dont have a patriotic leaders who really wants Pakistan should stabilize and become a very strong country. All we have looters, cheaters and beggars politician who put their own personal interest first than putting Pakistan integrity and sovereignty on top of their agenda. These politician are goons are all sold out to the west. Until and unless we have a Tsunami and all the politicians who amassed huge wealth are vanished for ever along with their clans Pakistan will never become self reliant and strong nation. I pray to Almighty that this happens sooner than later will be very good for the people of Pakistan. There is a lot of commotion about ISI. If ISI is so strong than why all these killings, lootings, suicide attacks, abductions, attack in their own den are happening each and every day. Why ISI cant stop this once and for all. Is ISI is a failed organization? Or may be the people heading ISI are not honest and faithful towards the country's integrity, hence time has come to remove them from their post and try new honest and faithful recruits who can do wonders for the country.
@gp65
Yawn.
@Waqt-ka-Taqaaza: Can you quote one succcessfull story of Asma Jahangir - that can be independently verified that is in the best possible interest of Pakistan?
Can you quote one good deed of PM, President, Hussain Haqqani, Babar Awan, Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Pervez Elahi, Qaim Ali Shah, Raja Riaz and so on - so that I can appreciate your unfounded comment?
To those who think that Pasha did a fabulous job - I have the following questions. 1. Osama lived in Abotabad for 6 years. ISI says they did not know about this. What does that tell you about ISI? 2. PNS Mehran - what does that tell you about ISI's ability to unearth/prevent attacks on country's security? 3. GHQ attack - what does that tell you about ISI's ability to unearth/prevent attacks on country's sovereignty? 4. May 2 - did ISI know this was going to happen? Why did ISI have no idea about what Shakeel Afrid was doing? 5. All of you say that TTP who has kiled thousands of Pakistanis is funded by India. If this is true, why is ISI not able to identify and disrupt such sleeper cells is it is the best agency in the world as it proclaims itself to be? 6. India does no even have a border with Balochistan, yet somehow India is supporting insurgency in Balochistan. If that is true, why is ISI not able to disrupt that network? 7. When TTP took over SWAT, where was the ISI intelligence to preent it? 8. The ongoing missing person saga in Balochistan done at the behest f ISI puts the country at a risk that the East Pakistan episode could repeat in Pakistani history. Is that to the bnefit of the country?
Now do not turn aournd and tell me that there have been intelligence lapses in India. Of course there have. But then Indans do not claim that RA is the best agency in the world. In fact, after 26/11, it was openly admitted that there were big gaps in intelligence gathering and actioning and big investents are being made to address those gaps. Also the federal home minister (to whom the RAW head reports) had to resign when 26/11 happened. Did Pasha or his boss resign after May 2?
Pasha should be investigated for his secret meetings and illegal decsions made with foriegn governments and agencies. Truth must come out.
Gen Pasha must stay there to ensure that the Memogate reaches its logical end.
I don't understand why people think he did a good job and on top of that they believe that probably whatever the deep-state is doing is the "national interest". It simply isn't their job to define what national interest is (if we learn anything from the past that is the Generals can not understand what bird is national interest and how to make policies). Whatever policies they make have proven disastrous for the country starting from East Pakistan, Afghan Policy, Kargil, post 9/11 etc. I can only laugh on those who think that they are the first line of defence as they are the one who first create the mess with their follies and then try to clean up while boasting about their sagacity. Enough, I say. retirement of Pasha----*GOOD RIDDANCE* and yes a civilian head please preferably from Police Service of Pakistan or Foreign Service of Pakistan like the rest of the civilized world.
Grave yards are full with people who used to think they are indispensible.
its easy to criticise but hard to swallow facts. the job he did was excellent. the kind of rulers we have, they even dont know whats good for the country or who is damaging, as they themselves are responsible for the nose dive, this country is in.(as some american said " very strange to see they are damaging their country themselves".)
The critics do not understand and probably never will; your covert operations are covert, can not be advertised or bandied about. Yet they insist, 'give me one success'. Pasha was heading an institution of your country which is crucial and more important' SECRET', very, very secret; he did a good job despite your need to know what's secret. Pakistan is in the throes of a very difficult time and is in a state of war by other means; conventional war is out and it is here where people are trying to protect their country and its people without fanfare or recognition. Why don't you complain about 'missing people' like the Governor's son etc, what about all the kidnappings, what of all the ransom collected by thugs and thieves, what about Mukhtaran Mai, why is are sense of moral indignation so selective. These values which are so politicised are self serving arguments that are convenient to support one's own warped thinking. Keep it simple; General Pasha, good job done and thank you.
No matter what ISI is the only institution who keeps these anti-state elements in check. It at times exceeds its jurisdiction but I think at present it has no choice because these ant-state elements are set free by the courts hence at times it has to play the part of judge, jury and the executioner. Most these so called missing persons are involved in nefarious activities and there supporters would love to take them to our courts run by scared judges who will set them free, we should be carefull in our criticism of ISI, they are doing a good job overall. Look at CIA, Mosad,RAW, MI5, etc.etc, they might not be popular with the champians of human rights but the play an important role in protecting there people and country. I am really amazed when our media and politicians call individuals who died in Lal masjid action as shaeeds, Bugti Shaeed etc. etc..who were openly challenging the writ of the state with there narrow minded ideolgy and trying to enforce it with force. Time to call an Ace an Ace
@hillbilly: Accolades for what?
@Zeta: Can you quote ONE success story of Mr.Pasha? Just one !
I recommend Asma Jahangir for the position of the next DG-ISI.
The job of security agencies is to maintain law n order protect the people, provide safety n peace.
Had Pasha like people been so competent, the situation would have been different.
According to media more pro-US and recently fashionable more pro-Israeli the better.
I am not surprised at all to see so much appreciation for Gen Pasha from so many fake IDs!! For heaven sake learn to accept the mistakes and blunders you (establishment) make every time otherwise we wont be able to learn ever.
A civilian please.
We all thank you for your services. you have done great a great job. God bless you!
hope to see a man who is pakistani from heart... well pasha was a good one... he was surely not a 'yes man' of US
USA will tell pakis who to put in place of pasha...so dont wrorry too much
Any civil servant who tells you he has had enough is a phony. Imagine being relegated to the dust-bin of history and a golf course for the rest of your days.
After a few weeks, no one will even recognize you.
Too bad the damage Pasha has done to the country will not be undone when he leaves. Under him there have been the worst terrorist attacks in Pakistan's history including PNS Mehran, the murder of Saleem Shahzad, being caught unawares while another country planned and executed a major operation on our soil (the May 2 OBL raid), to the whole Memogate fiasco where according to Mansoor Ijaz Pasha was travelling to foreign countries to seek help to topple the government. And that was just last year! Pasha has been an unmitigated disaster for this country. He should have been fired a long time ago.
Oh God Pl. let him go and not have another extension.
I hope we get an effective next chief, and not some who is sleeping while an American raid happens or the most wanted lives undetected in our borders.
@Chilli: Intelligence failures happens, dont worry
@Mirza:
yes there is no dearth of good generals in pak army who can replace pasha but we should not be mean in our appreciation.......pasha deserves all the accolades.
From Osama to Baluchistan...Pasha's ISI doomed so many times.
Although the fact remains the same, no boby is indispensable but some time you are required to have continuity, rather than trying, specially in such a crucial time from which Pakistan and the whole Ummah is passing. We must continue with this Gentleman as long as America is there in Afghanistan (2014) being at an speciallized place.
@Mirza: no they are just praising him
List of great services (i) Osama operation (ii) Baluchistan operation (iii) Missing person from Sindh and Baluchistan (iv) GHQ attack (v) Mehran Base attack (vi) Memo controversy
@khurram:
No wonder we are so unsafe all around from threats both internal and external.
@Roflcopter: LOLX at you..good like PASHA :) r u kidding.
Osama was found in Pakistan during Pasha's tenure. 11 people got missing after they were judged innocent by the court, later 4 of them found dead and the agency claimed to have them during all that time. I think ISI should be under civilians because our military has no respect for human rights and thus no respect for the lives of general public of Pakistan.
General Pasha a General in the German army mode.....A silent force
You did your duty well.....Pakistan enemies would be relaxing for now.
Adieus!!
I believe that no body is idispensable but definitly some are better than others. gen pasha has served the country in the best way that too in vey hard times a duty well done.we salute you general and wish you and your family the best of every thing. iam so very sure that your successor will be another ghazi serving the country in the best fashion. the basis of my confidence is the sheer belief in the prmotion system of our army wherein only best people reach the top. shear hard work and dedication are the only criteria. our generals are product of a process and not that of circumstances and i repeat that they are not product of circumstances. the nation should be sure that their army is led by the best people. this is your army and isi is your institution, one of the world's best. with the resources available it is better than cia.we all shall respect our institutions. the people who matter shall improve these and not demean. however i must point out that improvement results from selflessness, dedication and hard work and not rhetorics. bon voyage gen.pasha wherever you are.
This Guy has the most secrets in his heart than anybody else, i cant wait to see his interview on some tv channel and watching him disclosing the facts, maybe i have to wait at least 10 years :)
Pasha U r the Man, Thanx for ur service :) Allahu Akbar
ISI is the first line of defence of Pakistan. All those hostile foreigners ranting against it are terrified and sick from its power, its penetration to general public
Well Done Pasha,. i hope now more honest, more nationalist patriotic, more dignified chief comes in to power.
Thank you Pasha Sahib for being so good with Pakistan. Allah Hafiz Pasha Sahib. After retirement, people of Pakistan want you to see on TV screens to share your memories like other former DG's of ISI. May Al-Mighty Allah Bless You in your future endeavors. Ameen.
our silent guardian!
I guess he is trying to avoid attention of media. If he tried extend his service duration, he would have to answer numerous questions!
I hope the next chief is as good as Pasha.