ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency is often portrayed as a rogue operator whose agents pursue their own agendas. In fact, the ISI, as it's known, is part of the Pakistani military, headed by a senior Army general and subject to the military chain of command.
"It's a very disciplined organization, but with a very large freedom of action. When they get a policy directive, they have certain room for maneuver, keeping the interests of the state in view," said Shujaat Ali Khan , a retired general who used to head the internal wing of the ISI, which has functions of the U.S. CIA, the FBI and other agencies.
Although it nominally reports to the prime minister, the ISI answers to the Army chief, said Khan. Pakistan's Army needs to serve the U.S.-- which provides it with billions of dollars of military aid, not including covert assistance that goes directly to the ISI-- but it has contradictory interests, too, and they include supporting the Taliban and other militant Islamic groups that are hostile to the U.S. |