After Bin Laden: ISI chief leaves for US
Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha expected to discuss Pakistan's position on the Abbottabad raid.
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.
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.