ISLAMABAD – Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha has secured a year’s extension in his service, as President Asif Ali Zardari signed Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s proposal on the matter on Thursday. Sources said the president had signed Gilani’s summary wherein he recommended a year’s extension in Pasha’s service. Chief of Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani had extended Pasha’s service for a year until March 18, 2011.
Under the rules, the army chief can extend the service of a Lt General for a year only once without seeking a prior approval by the government. Further extension, however, requires an approval by the president. The sources said the government decided to extend the ISI chief’s service keeping in view the need for continuity of policy on issues ranging from internal security to external relations.