In the eye of the storm: Army chief pays ‘morale boosting’ visit to ISI HQ

Gen Raheel Sharif appreciates the agency’s role in national security.

This was the first visit by Gen Raheel to the ISI’s head office since he took over from his predecessor Gen Parvez Kayani in November last year. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:


Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif paid a ‘morale boosting’ visit to the headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on Tuesday after the country’s premier spy agency was implicated in the recent attack on anchor Hamid Mir.


This was the first visit by Gen Raheel to the ISI’s head office since he took over from his predecessor Gen Parvez Kayani in November last year.

A security official told The Express Tribune that the army chief’s visit was not only meant to acknowledge the ‘unsung heroes’ who laid down their lives for the country but also to show solidarity with the ISI at a time when questions are being raised about its role.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that Gen Raheel made it clear that no one would be allowed to undermine the role of ISI. “All attempts to discredit and malign the institution will be foiled,” the official quoted the army chief as saying.


The official also disclosed that ISI Director General Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam, while giving a briefing to the army chief, conveyed his serious concern over what he called ‘deliberate camping’ by certain elements against the spy agency.

The ISI is in the eye of the storm after Hamid Mir’s brother blamed the agency for Saturday’s attack in Karachi. The chief military spokesperson has already issued a strong rebuttal to the allegations and called for an impartial inquiry.

However, another official voiced his concern over reluctance from the civilian authorities to defend the ISI, which theoretically reports to the prime minister.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on his arrival at the headquarters, the ISI chief received Gen Sharif. “He was given a detailed briefing on internal and external security situation of the country,” said the statement.

The army chief appreciated the ISI’s role towards national security and lauded the contributions and sacrifices of its officers and men towards strengthening the defence of the motherland, according to the statement.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2014.
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