ID :
15141
Wed, 08/06/2008 - 17:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/15141
The shortlink copeid
Pak govt puts on hold controversial order on I.S.I.
Islamabad, Aug 6 (PTI) Pakistan government has put an
hold an order to bring the powerful I.S.I. under the control
of the interior ministry that had raised hackles of the
President and the military, saying further deliberations are
needed on "coordinating intelligence efforts".
The government had on July 26 issued the order that
placed the I.S.I. and Intelligence Bureau under the interior
ministry, apparently aimed at clipping the agency's wings.
But under pressure from the army and President Pervez
Musharraf, a clarification was issued within 24 hours that the
I.S.I. would continue reporting to the Prime Minister.
However, the earlier order was not formally withdrawn.
"The Prime Minister is pleased to direct that the
federal government will carry out further deliberations on
coordinating intelligence efforts," the government said in a
notification issued late Tuesday night after a meeting between
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and ruling Pakistan People's
Party Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
It said the Cabinet Division's order placing the
I.S.I. and I.B. under the interior ministry would be "held in
abeyance" till "the completion of these deliberations".
Sources said a new order is expected to be issued
after the completion of the discussions between Gilani and
Zardari on improving the gathering of intelligence related to
internal security and the war on terror.
Islamabad is under pressure to rein in I.S.I. after
India and Afghanistan accused it of masterminding the suicide
bombing on the Indian embassy in Kabul that killed nearly 60
people and the US too ratcheted up pressure to rein in the spy
agency which, it said, was helping militants.
Pakistan initially denied the charges levelled against
the spy agency. But after a meeting with his Indian
counterpart Manmohan Singh, Gilani offered to carry out a
probe if evidence was provided about the I.S.I.'s involvement
in the attack in Kabul.
The I.S.I.'s director general will now continue
reporting to the Prime Minister and its administrative,
financial and operational matters will remain under the
defence ministry.
hold an order to bring the powerful I.S.I. under the control
of the interior ministry that had raised hackles of the
President and the military, saying further deliberations are
needed on "coordinating intelligence efforts".
The government had on July 26 issued the order that
placed the I.S.I. and Intelligence Bureau under the interior
ministry, apparently aimed at clipping the agency's wings.
But under pressure from the army and President Pervez
Musharraf, a clarification was issued within 24 hours that the
I.S.I. would continue reporting to the Prime Minister.
However, the earlier order was not formally withdrawn.
"The Prime Minister is pleased to direct that the
federal government will carry out further deliberations on
coordinating intelligence efforts," the government said in a
notification issued late Tuesday night after a meeting between
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and ruling Pakistan People's
Party Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
It said the Cabinet Division's order placing the
I.S.I. and I.B. under the interior ministry would be "held in
abeyance" till "the completion of these deliberations".
Sources said a new order is expected to be issued
after the completion of the discussions between Gilani and
Zardari on improving the gathering of intelligence related to
internal security and the war on terror.
Islamabad is under pressure to rein in I.S.I. after
India and Afghanistan accused it of masterminding the suicide
bombing on the Indian embassy in Kabul that killed nearly 60
people and the US too ratcheted up pressure to rein in the spy
agency which, it said, was helping militants.
Pakistan initially denied the charges levelled against
the spy agency. But after a meeting with his Indian
counterpart Manmohan Singh, Gilani offered to carry out a
probe if evidence was provided about the I.S.I.'s involvement
in the attack in Kabul.
The I.S.I.'s director general will now continue
reporting to the Prime Minister and its administrative,
financial and operational matters will remain under the
defence ministry.
