In a surprise move early on Sunday morning, the government reversed its decision to place the country's premier intelligence agency -- the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) -- under the administrative, financial and operational control of the Interior Division.
"'Control?' I do not think that word means what you think it means!" |
The Press Information Department (PID) issued a memorandum late on Saturday night stating that the country's two premier intelligence agencies -- the ISI and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) -- have been placed under the Interior Division's control. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP)-led government, however, later 'clarified' the earlier notification, saying the ISI would continue to operate at the prime minister's discretion.
| In other words, they'll continue doing as they damned well please. |
The government's announcement made headlines in Sunday's newspapers, while the clarification issued by the PID that "the notification regarding control of the ISI is being misinterpreted" continued to be the main topic of discussion among the military and political circles across the country. The announcement also created speculation among top intelligence circles.
Sources told Daily Times that the top military brass had not been consulted on the issue. "The military leadership stood up and managed to reverse the government's decision soon after the notification was issued," they added.
"Reverse the decision or it's curtains for the lot of youse!"
"Oh, yeah? What're youse gonna do?"
"It'll be an 'unfortunate accident.'"
"All of us?"
"All."
"Okay. It's reversed." |
Under the new notification, the ISI will continue to perform its functions under the prime minister. It said: "The said notification only re-emphasises more co-ordination between the Ministry of Interior and the ISI in relation to the war on terror and internal security."
No change: However, the government stood firm on its decision to place the IB under the Interior Division. |