Who will head ISI? Kayani calls on PM

The top civilian and military leadership on Tuesday discussed the appointment of the new director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to replace Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who is retiring on March 18, along with other important matters pertaining to the security and defence of the country.
Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, following which the PM met President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss important matters related to national defence and security.
“The civilian and military leadership had detailed discussions on different important issues such as latest situation in Afghanistan, the country’s Tribal Areas as well as the security situation in Balochistan,” said an official, requesting anonymity.
He, however, said the issue that was talked about more during the two meetings was the appointment of a new ISI chief to replace General Pasha but no final decision had been taken whether to give another one-year extension to the incumbent or otherwise.
General Pasha is reportedly not interested in another extension and some names of senior military officials are already circulating in the media as his possible successors. However, a source said that extension to Gen Pasha could not be ruled out in the present geo-strategic environment. “The army chief had deliberations with the prime minister on the appointment of a new ISI chief after which the prime minister discussed the same matter in detail with the president.
The decision on the important matter is expected in the next few days,” the official said. A statement issued from the PM office, meanwhile, said the chief of the army staff called on Prime Minister Gilani at the PM’s House and the discussed security situation of the country and the region. “Professional matters pertaining to the country’s defence also came under discussion,” it said. There was no mention of a discussion over the appointment of the new ISI chief, however, but it is believed that this matter was the main purpose of the top-level consultations. The prime minister and the president also had talks on the current political situation with a focus on contempt of court charges that Prime Minister Gilani is facing in the Supreme Court, as well as the upcoming Senate polls.