During the hearing of a petition filed by Tehrik-i-Istiqlal chief Air Martial (retd) Asghar Khan in the Supreme Court pertaining to the distribution of money among politicians by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the defense ministry in its reply stated that no political cell was operating in the ISI.
According to a private TV channel, a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has been hearing the 1996 petition filed by Khan who had accused the ISI of financing politicians in the 1990 elections by dishing out Rs140 million to create the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) and prevent Benazir Bhutto’s PPP from winning the polls. The petition was based on an affidavit of former ISI chief Lt-Gen (retd) Asad Durrani.
During the hearing, the ministry submitted its reply saying no political cell was operating in the ISI.
Upon which, Chief Justice Iftikhar remarked that a letter submitted before the court on June 26, 1997 had stated that a political cell was functioning within the ISI.
The court subsequently directed Commander Shahbaz, the official representing the ministry, to submit the reply after it had been signed.
Shahbaz told the court that the ministry had confirmed the information with the intelligence agency before submitting its response.
Expressing its displeasure over the absence of Interior Secretary K.M. Siddiq Akbar, the bench issued summons for both the interior and defence secretaries.
No political cell operating in ISI: Defense ministry
