Tenure nears end: No more extensions for ISI chief

ISLAMABAD: Given the spike in civil-military tensions, it comes as no surprise that the embattled government will not pursue any further extension to retain the services of Director General (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

To the contrary, the government is believed to be actively considering naming a successor before General Pasha’s extended tenure comes to an end on March 18. There have also been no indications that army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would be interested in an extension for the current DG ISI.

The appointment of a successor will assume greater significance in the backdrop of recent tensions. Even though the prime minister has the authority to appoint the future spymaster, it would be a rare move for the civilian government to take the decision without the military establishment on board.

It is also of note that the appointing authority, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, has reportedly been a specific target of the military’s ire. First, his statements to a Chinese daily were met with a strong-worded reply by the army – which then is reported have approached President Zardari to demand a retraction from the premier.

The prime minister also unceremoniously sacked the defence secretary, a retired general though to be close to the army chief.The defence secretary has challenged the move in court, and has leveled strong accusations against the premier.

The appointment of a new DG ISI is bound to become an intriguing affair.

A government official told FTNews that a decision had already been taken that no further extension would be granted to Lt-Gen Pasha, whose relations with the government also strained after he actively pursued the Memogate case.

The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, disclosed that the government was planning to appoint the new DG ISI weeks before Pasha’s tenure expires in a bid to preempt any further misunderstanding with the military.

However, in the past, attempts by former prime ministers to strategically appoint generals closer to the civilian government at the key slot have backfired. Benazir Bhutto appointed Lt General (retd) Shamsur Rahman Kallu as the DG ISI during her first tenure but the move only led to strained ties between her government and the then army chief General Mirza Aslam Baig.

Similarly, Nawaz Sharif had appointed Lt General (retd) Ziauddin Butt as the DG ISI during his tenure, but the decision led to eventual ouster of his government by the then army chief General Parvez Musharraf in October 1999.

Even so, despite the current friction between civil and military authorities, consultations are believed to be underway for the appointment of the new DG ISI.

Sources close to FTNews have revealed that at least three names have surfaced for the post. Frontrunners include Chief of General Staff Lt General Wahid Arshad, Corps Commander Karachi Lt-General Muhammad Zahirul Islam and Corps Commander Peshawar Lt-General Khalid Rabbani. All three are to retire in 2014.

Another military source claimed that Lt-General Zahirul Islam is believed to be a strong contender for the position because of a previous stint with the ISI. Before being appointed Corps Commander Karachi, he was the head of ISI’s internal wing which dealt with counter-intelligence and domestic issues. However, there is no official confirmation on whether the army has formally forwarded the proposed names to the government.

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Peace talks between govt and Taliban faltering: official

ISLAMABAD: Exploratory peace talks between Pakistan and al Qaeda-linked Taliban insurgents have made little progress, a senior security official told Reuters on Thursday.

The official said the group, seen as the biggest security threat to the strategic US ally, had flatly rejected a demand that it work through tribal elders to reach a deal whereby fighters approach authorities and lay down their arms.

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SC adjourns PM’s contempt hearing to February 1

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the prime minister’s contempt hearing to Feb 1, leaving a brewing political crisis over corruption cases and presidential immunity unresolved.

The court has also exempted the premier from appearing for the upcoming hearing of the case.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appeared in the court today to explain why he should not be charged with contempt for failing to re-open old corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

He became the third elected prime minister to appear in court on contempt charges.

Gilani’s counsel Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan told the bench that the prime minister had appeared before the court as directed.

He said the Swiss cases against Zardari could only be reopened once he ceases to be the president.

Ahsan requested the court for a month’s time to file a response. He said the time was required to access and go through the case’s record. Responding to which, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk said that access to records could be provided in two days’ time.

Gilani also presented his arguments in the court and said that he had “appeared before the apex court previously as well…Benazir Bhutto and Nusrat Bhutto also appeared before courts during their lifetimes”.

He said: “We respect the courts…my intention is to respect the constitution and my associates also respect the constitution.”

“I decided to appear before the court immediately after getting the notice,” he added.

Gilani further said that the president enjoyed immunity from prosecution in the 18th Amendment, adding that a president elected with a two-thirds majority could not be handed over to foreign courts.

“It will not give a good message to proceed against a president who is elected by a two-thirds majority.”

“I have discussed this with my friends and experts, and they all agree that he has got complete immunity,” he added.

Concluding his arguments, Gilani said that he had not given any impression that would entail contempt of court.

During the hearing, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany said that deliberately refusing to implement a court order was tantamount to contempt of court, adding that, the premier has said that he had no intention of committing contempt.

Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk commended the prime minister for appearing before the court.

Moreover, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that the media reported the ruling on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) implementation case in an inaccurate manner.

Federal ministers and lawmakers from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and allied parties were also present on the occassion.

A FTNews reporter present on the court’s premisis said that no Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader was present during the hearing.

Speaking to media representatives before the hearing began, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan praised the role the PPP played in the restoration and independence of judiciary.

Whereas, Asfandyar Wali Khan, chief of the Awami National Party, told journalists that friends are not to be left alone in difficult times.

He said that being a coilation partner of the government he had to come to the court.

“The court wanted some clarifications and the prime minister decided to attend himself. This is something the court and media should appreciate,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters.

A spokesman for the ruling party, Qamar Zaman Kaira, said Gilani’s acceptance of the court summons “shows his respect” for the country’s highest court.

“We fight cases in the courts, we do not fight with courts,” Kaira added.

Meanwhile, strict security measures were in place in the capital city on the day when the bench began proceedings.

Surveillance cameras had been installed in court rooms as well as at public entry gates and in reception areas.

Due to limited seating capacity in room No 4, entry was regulated through passes. The gallery was reserved for media representatives.

Moreover, no one was allowed to enter the city’s Red Zone area or the Supreme Court premises without special permission passes.

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