PM, president authorised to appoint new ISI chief: Mukhtar

Says no decision made yet on extending Pasha’s tenure.

ISLAMABAD: The new chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency will be appointed by the president and prime minister, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has said.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said that the no suggestion from the army chief has been received by the government.

Mukhtar said that no decision has been made as yet on whether or not to extend the tenure of ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who was already given a year-long extension in March 2011. He also said that there is no role of the defence minister in the appointment of an ISI chief.

Talking about reopening of Nato supplies, he said that there is no pressure on Pakistan from the US and that the final decision will be made by the Parliament.