The chief of Pakistan’s powerful ISI has been shunted out of Islamabad and replaced by Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, considered close to the reform-minded Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Replaced chief belonged to ex-Prez Pervez Musharraf’s camp
ISLAMABAD: Amid intense US pressure to deliver on the war on terror, the chief of Pakistan’s powerful ISI has been shunted out of Islamabad and replaced by Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha, considered close to the reform-minded Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Lt Gen Nadeem Taj, on US hit list for alleged ties to Taliban and militant groups in the Pak-Afghan border, was replaced by Pasha, who was serving as Director General of Military Operations in the General Headquarters.
An army statement on Monday announced the elevation and appointment of Pasha, said to be close to army chief Kayani, to the sensitive post of Director General of the ISI to replace Taj, who was hand-picked by Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, the former Pakistani President.
Pasha’s appointment was approved by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who directly looks after the affairs of the intelligence establishment, The News reported.
Pasha has been overseeing Pakistani military operations against insurgents in the country’s restive northwest. He had also commanded troops for the UN mission to Sierra Leone in 2001-2002 and was appointed as an adviser on peacekeeping operations by the world body last year.
Taj, a relative of Musharraf, has been transferred to head the Gujranwala-based 30 Corps. He was appointed ISI chief in September last year.
The US had been pressing Pakistan hard to replace Taj as late as Sunday night. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly met CIA Director Michael Hayden this weekend in New York. What they discussed specifically is unclear but Hayden reportedly provided Gilani with a proposal for “ISI reform” in July, media reports said.
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