Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha is likely to head the body that controls the country’s nuclear arsenal after the end of his present assignment next month, according to report carried by Times of India on Sunday.
Pasha is set to step down as the ISI chief on March 18 as the government has decided against offering him another extension.
The ISI chief reached the age of retirement in 2010 and was twice given extensions.
He is likely to be made the head of the Strategic Plans Division, which controls the nuclear arsenal, the report said.
Pasha has served as the director general of the ISI for three-and-a-half years.
If Pasha is made the head of the Strategic Plans Division, he will replace Lt Gen (r) Khalid Kidwai, who has led the organisation for over a decade.
Sources claimed that Pasha’s possible appointment as head of the Strategic Plans Division would “help the future of Pak-US nuclear and strategic engagement”, the report added.
Following Pasha’s alleged role in the scandal over a mysterious memo that had sought US help to prevent a possible military coup in Pakistan, it was reported he would not be given another extension.
The government is keeping mum on the issue of Pasha’s future for now. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will take a final decision after a one-on-one meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, the report added.
It added that a source close to Pasha had disclosed that the spy agency chief did not want another extension, particularly after the memo issue which had distanced him from the prime minister.
Recent reports have said that Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam and Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood were among the top contenders for the post of ISI chief.
Others who are in contention for the slot include Director General Joint Staff Lt Gen Muhammad Asif, Adjutant General Lt Gen Javed Iqbal.
Some reports have suggested that Maj Gen Isfandyar Ali Khan Pataudi, a relative of late Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and Director General of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen Naushad Kayani, too were in the race.
However, commentators have noted that Pataudi and Kayani were not due for a promotion and the elevation of either of them to the post of ISI chief would mean that several generals would be superseded.
I would not feel comfortable with Pasha as the head of Strategic Plans Division. He has proven that he is a coward by not taking a stand on the memo issue and has been side stepping this issue of national importance. I beleive that he has sold out and has used the memo issue to squeeze money (and now a lucritive, powerful position) out of zardari. Unless we see people for who they really are, we are headed for a disaster. Kiani and Pasha have let the nation down and if they are offered (and accept) any position with the current govt. it will be proof enough for me that they are in bed with zardari and gillani.
i agree with kamran he is also in very close contact with USA and he is going to get this position as USA want to have his own men at all key positions so that they have ready knowledge of everything. He will be given this position after 18th of March and yes he is in bed with Z and G and with US too .a pretty crowded bed..I wonder what they are doing there :)).
🙂 It would be hard to tell who's screwing whom.
Oh No!!! I think they are screwing the nation.
never
Yes. Good …
Behave like GENTLEMAN Mr.Xero Hour
Very right man…. Pakistan Today has doubts??
@hanif awan: Perhaps you consider indian snakes as gentlesnakes … What’s your reality???
Right man for the right job 🙂
another way to benefit the person we yet to knw his achievements. sad.
no doubt
At this time…..Yes……PPP has no moral credibility…!!
So the Mr. president finally got Pasha a deal. how smart president is, he sensed his need. wat a key post he 'll be sitting on. its, i think, the top pay-rolled position in american treasury accounts for any sitting general. long live khakis !
pasha iz doing gr8 job az isi chief nd if he'z made the spd chief it will be hte guft nd reward of his services
Ludicurous comments, if i may say so. General's Kayani and Pasha maybe better Pakistani's than me and a host of others like me. Their commendable efforts to maintain an equilibrium during these volatile and turbulant past nearly five years deem appreciation by balanced Pakistani's._The Haqqani indescretion and misadventure was reported, as proffessionally required, to the relevant authorites and an investigation is in progress. Let us be patient and await the result, which inshAllah, will be as per the dictate of our laws,
_As for Janab Zardari and company, let us not forget that the People of Pakistan brought them to power even if it was only a sympathy vote, backed up,to some extent, by "Behind the Scene" activities._If we feel so strongly about Zardari Sahib and Company, i would advise my honourable friends to ensure that the comming election brings to Parliament people of grace, dignity,true patriotism, loyal to Pakistan and its people and above all with an unblemished record as Pakistani's._We have to do it….it is a compulsion, as otherwise….2.-3 years down the line, the infamous jeep and two trucks (as quoted by Sethi sahib many times over) lurking in the shadows may appear late one night, to be welcomed by the people like always but with extremely dire consequences to our nation which consists of extremely fine people…..Let us not let a few thousand upstarts, with their own self interests, to destroy the destiny of 180 Million loving souls…. LET US ALL WAKE UP FROM DEEP SLUMBER BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Jivay Pakistan.
its not people of pakistan who brought them to power its Mush, BIbi, USA and Kiani agreement that brought them to power and as far as Z is concern a mysterious bomb brought him to power . Eeverything was decided in Dubai and by People of
Pakistan. so Dont blame poor people of Pakistan who can vote for a corroupt defual for a plate of zardda ;)))
Hehehehe he will remain DG ISI as per US demand
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