PM extends DG IB's term for third time

Aftab Sultan is a retired police official who enjoys Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's trust, sources say

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extended on Monday the contract of DG Intelligence Bureau (IB) Aftab Sultan for the third time, said a PM House statement.

He was appointed by the prime minister as the head of the civilian intelligence agency after coming into power in 2013. The first two extensions were granted for one year each while this time it is for two years.

Sultan is a retired police official, who according to sources, enjoys the premier’s trust, and was appointed as IG Punjab before the 2013 general elections by then caretaker chief minister Najam Sethi.

Sources in the federal government said prime minister extended his contract as he played a positive role during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s 126-day sit-in in Islamabad.



“The prime minister was apprised of all the developments during the PTI sit-ins by Aftab Sultan,” added the sources. "With the extension of two more years in his tenure, Sultan is all set to foil conspiracies against the government, particularly possible sit-ins by the PTI, which are rumoured to be staged in Punjab."

Under Sultan’s leadership, the IB is said to have improved its performance, contributing to Pakistan's fight against terrorism and extremism.