Given the spike in civil-military tensions, it comes as no surprise that the embattled government will not pursue any further extension to retain the services of Director General (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
To the contrary, the government is believed to be actively considering naming a successor before General Pasha’s extended tenure comes to an end on March 18. There have also been no indications that army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would be interested in an extension for the current DG ISI.
The appointment of a successor will assume greater significance in the backdrop of recent tensions. Even though the prime minister has the authority to appoint the future spymaster, it would be a rare move for the civilian government to take the decision without the military establishment on board.
It is also of note that the appointing authority, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, has reportedly been a specific target of the military’s ire. First, his statements to a Chinese daily were met with a strong-worded reply by the army – which then is reported have approached President Zardari to demand a retraction from the premier.
The prime minister also unceremoniously sacked the defence secretary, a retired general though to be close to the army chief. The defence secretary has challenged the move in court, and has leveled strong accusations against the premier.
The appointment of a new DG ISI is bound to become an intriguing affair.
A government official told The Express Tribune that a decision had already been taken that no further extension would be granted to Lt-Gen Pasha, whose relations with the government also strained after he actively pursued the Memogate case.
The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, disclosed that the government was planning to appoint the new DG ISI weeks before Pasha’s tenure expires in a bid to preempt any further misunderstanding with the military.
However, in the past, attempts by former prime ministers to strategically appoint generals closer to the civilian government at the key slot have backfired. Benazir Bhutto appointed Lt General (retd) Shamsur Rahman Kallu as the DG ISI during her first tenure but the move only led to strained ties between her government and the then army chief General Mirza Aslam Baig.
Similarly, Nawaz Sharif had appointed Lt General (retd) Ziauddin Butt as the DG ISI during his tenure, but the decision led to eventual ouster of his government by the then army chief General Parvez Musharraf in October 1999.
Even so, despite the current friction between civil and military authorities, consultations are believed to be underway for the appointment of the new DG ISI.
Sources close to The Express Tribune have revealed that at least three names have surfaced for the post. Frontrunners include Chief of General Staff Lt General Wahid Arshad, Corps Commander Karachi Lt-General Muhammad Zahirul Islam and Corps Commander Peshawar Lt-General Khalid Rabbani. All three are to retire in 2014.
Another military source claimed that Lt-General Zahirul Islam is believed to be a strong contender for the position because of a previous stint with the ISI. Before being appointed Corps Commander Karachi, he was the head of ISI’s internal wing which dealt with counter-intelligence and domestic issues. However, there is no official confirmation on whether the army has formally forwarded the proposed names to the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2012.
COMMENTS (37)
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Everywhere else in the world, the appointment of the Intelligence Chief is a low-key affair and the news seldom makes it to the media. But in Pakistan it is a headline story.
All the politicians of the country, including PM and President, should have their premises bugged!!! They are on the list of the biggest traitors who use democracy as a cover for their crimes.
He deserves at least three years more till he helps bring to justice all the traitors!!!
@hamza khan: Dear Khan Sahib, war and peace is a serious business and we cannot leave it to the generals, especially after their history. Yes, it is a wishful thinking. You are right. Not happening in Pakistan. Regards, Mirza
@Mirza:
because the ISI is a military organization, and cannot be headed by a civilian. the ET has already had this discussion. its not happening.
ISI does not rely on personalities unlike political parties. Another brave and patriot general will take his place and liberals will cry some more.
Gen Ziauddin was a serving general not retired when he was appointed to head ISI.
It will be an interesting move to watch. Apparantly Gilani-Kiyani tussle is on peak. In case Gilani is sincere in his claims to get rid off the army domination should resort to entirely independent decision. Internal posting of army generals follow a pre defined pattern. At one or other stage Kiyani is aught to be involved being COAS. Any serving general being picked up as DGISI has to be relieved from his current portfolio and in that scenario role of COAS Kiani will come in. How effectively and strongly Gilani can get his choice relieved of army will be intresting to watch.
General Pasha served the country well. I hope the next ISI chief is just as good.
The ISI head should be a civilian as it was there in Charter of Democracy. We need our elected representatives to have both the responsibility and power to lead us from crisis.
No Extention, Please.
ISI is Inter Services Intelligence, and as the name suggests( inter services = army, navy and air force) the head of ISI should also be from the armed forces, normally which is the army. Where as IB is an intelligence body which is headed a person other than military.
He should never have been given extension. It goes against principals and affects the performance of ISI
Pakistan should start a healthy practice of not giving extension to anyone in Khaki or in judiciary. This is routinely followed by Indian Government. So not only Pasha's but also Kayani's services should be dispensed with on due date or currently extended date. No more extensions.
Traditionally speaking, GHQ recommends to the PM names of 3 Generals of their choice to chose from. But it is also a fact that the one selected is always with the consent of COAS, meaning thereby its choice of COAS indirectly. Only 2 occasions when PM appointed one of his own choice, and it back-fired both time. Lets wait and see what happens this time.
He'll appoint someone who supports and desires ISI answering to the civilian government. If he's smart, at least.
Pasha and Kayani should not have been given extensions. There was no dearth of "able" generals. the political governments have a legacy of digging own grave.
Here a general behaves as if he is a military genius, who has just won a great war, and is thus indispensable
Why not bring ISI under civilian control? Why not appoint a retired SC judge or some civilian as the head of ISI? Time to catch up with the other countries of the world.
What extension? Try him for treason.
Why did Gillani dole out extensions at first place to Pasha?
I hope the Prime Minister has no say in the appointment of DG ISI, otherwise he will recommend another convict for the job, like he's done with PIA, Railways, PSM etc.
There is no such person as General Ziauddin Butt. His real name is Khwaja Ziauddin. Media people: fix your records. Tribune people: Correct the error. If you don't believe me,check the record or ask the guy himself. Not every Kashmiri has a last name Butt, guys!
The govt should sack him right now - as a matter of principle.
Let the best man head the ISI. ISI is very important institution due to variety of external challenges and opportunities
No extension
And will Gen Pasha face a trial for the killing of Saleem Shehzad by his agency after he retires?
I hope Gilani appoints the ISI chief on his own merit. Kayani may submit recommendations, but this should be Gilani's decision and his alone. If Gilani picks someone other than Kayani's nomination he be fully supported in this, army chief's ego be damned. The government should use this opportunity to reinforce the supremacy of the elected government.
rabbani wont retire till 2015 atleast.. waheed arshad will be promoted.
send him home.
good riddance.. its more than time this one leaves the seat...
He can always join an American think tank as a military consultant and advise accordingly on more effective drone strikes. He was doing little else till now.
It's all about power politics and kursi
Extension zada jernails must go now!