Pages

Monday, June 4, 2012

ZARDARI HAS FAILED TO TAME ISI, War on Terror , NewAgeIslam.com

War on Terror
ZARDARI HAS FAILED TO TAME ISI
By Najam Sethi
Zardari’s ostensible reason for clubbing IB and ISI under Rehman’s control together is “better coordination” of law and order and the war on terror. But this is really a euphemism for making the IB more efficient and simultaneously “taming” the ISI and “ bringing it into line”. In the PPP’s two previous stints in power, despite handpicked men to lead it, the IB had failed to warn Bhutto of her impending sacking at the hands of two presidents, a “hostile” one in Ghulam Ishaq Khan in 1990 and a “friendly” one in Farooq Leghari in 1996. In fact, the ISI’s role on both occasions was anti- prime minister. Under DG General Hameed Gul, it actually destabilised and then tried to overthrow her in 1989 and then helped rig the general elections to make Nawaz Sharif prime minister, while under DG General Naseem Rana in 1996, it became a handmaiden of the army chief, General Jehangir Karamat, when he approved her sacking by Leghari. So, notwithstanding the ISI’s non- interference in the general elections in 2008, which returned the PPP to power, Zardari’s obsession and fear of the ISI is not unjustified. Indeed, even before her assassination, Bhutto had pointed the finger at “ rogue elements” in the ISI and said they were out to get her.

0 comments: