In a major shuffle, new chief for ISI
01st October 2008
The new chief of Pakistan’s main intelligence service will surely be scrutinized by American officials who have questioned the powerful spy agency’s loyalties in the war on terror.
The appointment of Lt Gen Ahmed Shujaa Pasha as head of Inter-Services Intelligence was among several changes in what appeared to be a major shake up of the military leadership, including replacement of four of the nine corps commanders. In his most recent capacity as director general of military operations, Pasha oversaw military offensives against insurgents in the nuclear-armed nation’s restive northwest.
The region is home to Taliban and al-Qaida militants involved in attacks on American and Nato forces in Afghanistan as well as rising strikes within Pakistan. The statement late Monday gave no more details about Pasha, but Pakistani defense analyst Talat Masood described him as “highly professional.”
Pasha replaces Lt Gen Nadeem Taj, who was in the position about a year after being appointed by former president Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf, a former army chief and US ally, was forced to quit the presidency in August amid threats of impeachment by the fledgling civilian government.
The statement listed several new postings that are expected to take effect in several weeks. Masood said the changes appeared to be an effort by Gen Ashfaq Kayani — who succeeded Musharraf as army chief — to consolidate his control over the military. US intelligence agencies suspect rogue elements in the ISI have been giving Taliban militants sensitive information. India and Afghanistan — and reportedly the US — also suspect the agency of involvement in the July 7 bombing outside India’s embassy in Kabul.
Source: Times of India