ISI chief postpones US visit: Officials
The postponement follows renewed tensions between the two countries over Pakistan’s six-month blockade on Nato supplies into Afghanistan and last week’s sentencing of a Pakistani doctor, Dr Shakil Afridi, hired by the CIA to help find Osama bin Laden.
In a short statement sent to reporters by text message, the spokesman said that the visit by the ISI director general, Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam, to the United States “has been postponed due to his pressing commitments here”.
“There is no other reason of postponing the visit,” the spokesman added.
Pakistani-US intelligence cooperation is understood to have continued despite stormy diplomatic relations between the two capitals, but frustration has been growing in both countries on how to break the stalemate.
Pakistani officials have reported five US drone strikes on Pakistani soil since a Nato summit last week, marking a dramatic increase in attacks that Pakistan demanded an end to after US air strikes in November killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
The Chicago summit had been meant to symbolise a thaw between the United States and Pakistan, but appeared only to worsen the bad blood.
There is still no deal on reopening the Nato supply routes through Pakistan, vital for US and allied troops in Afghanistan.
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It is ironic that an ISI chief could run for Mansoor Ijaz to have unauthorized meeting against the elected govt officials. However, to discuss the business of genuine nature, ISI chief has better things to do. Go figure!
@Sexton Blake: There is no effective treatment for paranoid delusion and ignorance.
Usa and CIA doesnt care about pakistan at all then why is our ISI running back and forth to usa. usa should come to pakistan as they need our support to get out of afghanistan!
such a shame tht isi goes usa.
What's the point in going to the USA before a deal on the NATO supply line is reached - that's about as worthless as Zardari going to the Chicago conference. Zero upside.
@Sexton Blake:
Great post.
Hasan
@LionOfPunjab
I agree with some or your statements, but I hope to God that others were sarcastic.
hahah no talks til drones are stopped! insha'a Allah soon!
@AnisAqeel: I think LionOfPunjab was being sarcastic. His opinion is not that different from yours.
Is is possible he was not welcome in the US at this time? I am sure he will be making trips once there is agreement on NATO routes and Shakeel Afridi issue is settled. Which will happen sooner or later.
@AnisAqeel: Just take a chill pill and read again @LionOfPunjab comment. He is just being sarcastic.
Why would General Islam bother wasting his time? Pakistan has made its wishes quite clear to the U.S., and they are being ignored. The U.S. has resumed its bombing of Pakistan, and we only have America's word for it that they are targeting terrorists, which America created in the first place. Instead of creating massive propaganda programs to justify their actions of the past, why doesn't America start a massive program to reduce antagonism towards themselves. Normal people, other than America, do not just pick up Ak47.s and start shooting unless they are being antagonized, and lets face it, America rampages around the world antagonizing people, tribes and countries. Unfortunately, America will not change. The U.S., and much of the West, have an agenda, and any country which does not fall into line will be disciplined severely. In comparatively recent times America has tried it on several countries such as Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Granada, Panama, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Georgia, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and several other African/South American countries. America has been very successful in subduing some countries by brutally killing huge numbers of people, but fortunately they have not killed everybody and resistance is continually building up. As a result of America creating world wide problems life will not be easy for an extremely long time to come. Nobody wants militants about. Nobody wants American troops throwing grenades in peoples houses. Nobody wants drones and bombs destroying their houses under the guise of targeting terrorists. I do not know what General Islams future plans are, but I think we can be reasonably certain that he knows America and Pakistan are on different wavelengths.
@LionOfPunjab: It seems some people do not know ground realities, we are exactly in the same mess when East Pakistan was created to Bangladesh. The only difference is that we named West Pakistan to Pakistan but to access the best location you are mentioning may be no more with imputation of Baluchistan and if no Baluchistan, there won't be any Pakistan. Be real and try to come out of this mess that has been created by our 'most powerful in the world'. Islam doesn't need any fort, it is in hearts and minds. Islam is better practiced in Europe and the USA than in Pakistan.Only foolish influenced by Mullah or opportunists preach Islam is in danger. Nobody else can heart Islam except our Mullah or like minded.
@peter: Your observation well founded. However one basic fact every one is missing. In all countries of the world, guidance on important issues is always given by parliament. While implementation is ensured by concerned ministries. Until now no one knows who is actually responsible for national security and foreign issues of Pakistan. First this aspect should be put right only then one can analyse where lies the problem. Postponement of current visit of DG ISI to US is also connected to this issue. Still there are differences between civil elite and military brass of Pakistan about these issues. Statement by ISPR is just a routine matter and an attempt to burrie the actual reason so that no one can notice it.
Great job! You snub us we will snub you back. What does US think they are? a super power? You need us more than we need you. Ours is the best strategic location in the entire world, the world's future depends on us, not the the other way around. Besides, we are the fortress of islam and the leader of ummah (ask any islalimc brother country, they respect us!) with nuclear power (but not enough power to run our factory or fan). Besides, we are the bestest "all weather friend" (however this friend is last to show to aid us in "weather" related tragedies, such as earthquak, flood or even recovery of our brave soldiers in siachen) of china the super power, who BTW if amreekans dont know owns amreeka!
Just running away and closing eyes like a pigeon is not a solution but to face ground realities in a timely fashion and try to clear up the mess we have created in an amicable way. Accepting weaknesses and working hard to remove those weaknesses is a very big strength that we severely lack. I very clearly see our 'gamblers' are gambling on Baluchistan that will provide access to NATO forces unless we handle bravely and bravely means accepting weaknesses. NO BALUCHISTAN MEANS NO PAKISTAN, THAT IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN MAKING A BANGLADESH.
What is the message, is it part of gesturing or else a bizarre attempt to show case dis content. I wonder whether this ongoing spat will help fix this complex and difficult relationship or would further deteriorate this. Outcome notwithstanding, the future of the region and world peace may find itself hostage to the actions and decisions of stake holders of these unequal contenders.