ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s all powerful Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is not out of trouble yet, as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has not withdrawn the notice to place the internal security wing of the ISI under the interior ministry, issued last month by the prime minister before proceeding to Washington, and is likely to be reissued soon after certain amendments.
According to well placed sources in the interior ministry, the government is likely to issue a new notice to explain the first one, which had created a lot of unrest in the ISI, prompting the prime minister to defer it for the time being.
However, since the first notification has not been cancelled, it remains effective until a new superseding one is issued. The source added that the clarification issued by the government does not rescind the notification. A source close to the Asif Zardari confirmed this.
During his meeting with prime minister Gilani on July 29 in Washington, President Bush expressed his concern and annoyance over the role of the ISI, saying it has established deep ties with al-Qaeda and Taliban militants operating in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
Therefore, many in Pakistan believe the proposed taming of the ISI has been motivated by American pressure.
