Last week, some Pakistanis in New York hosted a dinner for a few esteemed guests from their homeland. A very good friend, who is an editor of a respected newspaper, flew off the handle, insisting our guests were Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents. The argument escalated until we were completely unable to enjoy the company of our guests. Just as mentioning CIA occasionally evokes images of global conspiracy and the KGB calls gulags to mind, the ISI has come to represent political deceit in Pakistan.
Ask anyone to name their reasons for despising the ISI and you will receive vague responses reflective of hatred rather than understanding. Every state apparatus requires intelligence agencies, and Pakistan is no different. There are actually three-well known intelligence agencies in Pakistan: Intelligence Bureau (IB), Military Intelligence (MI), and ISI. There are 26 intelligence agencies in the US. Somehow, the ISI and the CIA are the two that are most demonized.
The turmoil in Pakistan’s past has led to censure of the ISI. A visible feature of the ISI’s history that has done great damage to its reputation is the continual deterioration of civilian institutions due to multiple military coups. Despite some improvements in civil-military relations in recent years, the army remains a dominant actor in Pakistan’s political makeup.
Previous abuses of power should put intelligence reform at the top of the agenda for change. Before Pakistan can continue its democratic transition, these changes must be addressed. It seems some corrections to the system have already been made; ISI has recently demonstrated a previously unseen forthrightness with both local and international media.
Although reform to intelligence agencies will be difficult, the good news is that with patience, resolve, and international assistance, Pakistan’s government can indeed reassert civilian control over the intelligence community. Luckily for Pakistan, there are predecessors to take notes from. Indonesia and Chile have both undergone transformations in the intelligence arena and have plenty to offer Pakistan by way of example.
I wanted to know something of my friend who suspected our guests of being ISI agents: What did he think could be done to reform the intelligence agency? I was not surprised when he was unable to provide any coherent prescription. I find critics of the ISI to be a dime a dozen; if I had a penny for every time I heard someone criticize the ISI, I would be a millionaire. Yet none of these critics can give any recommendations to improve the situation.
In fact, the international community continues to blame Pakistan’s problems on the ISI, but still maintains working relations with the agency. Often, these relations undermine the democratic government and vindicate the very intelligence actors that need to be controlled. This double standard can be avoided by direct involvement with the Pakistani government, rather than going through intelligence services.
Pakistan’s government must reinforce the separation between civilian and military intelligence agencies. The integration of former ISI agents into other civilian bodies, particularly the IB, should be limited or stopped. Cross-recruitment prevents organizations from becoming independent.
Pakistan also needs to strengthen the police force. A better-trained and better-equipped police force can do a better job of counterterrorism, which work is currently exploited by the intelligence agencies to legitimize their control over politics in Pakistan.
US Secretary of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano recently visited Pakistan, and told us in New York last week that the US government is prepared to help develop Pakistan’s law enforcement infrastructure. From training police to setting up point-of-entries at Pakistan-Afghanistan borders, the US can help Pakistan using its experience regulating the US-Mexico border. Interestingly, every year there are several officers from the Pakistani army who train in American institutions, but no Pakistani police officer is coached by American counterparts. While army officers should continue to go to the US for training, it would be highly beneficial for Pakistan to invest in its law enforcement agencies in this manner as well.
Ignoring the urgent need to establish supremacy over the intelligence community would be a grave mistake on the part of Pakistan’s civilian government. Reducing the role of the military in the intelligence sector will allow the government to consolidate itself domestically, so it should be a top priority. In addition, government control over military and intelligence will cast a positive light on the state of Pakistan’s emerging democracy, and will improve international opinions of Pakistan.
In saying all this, though, we must remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Like any other state, Pakistan needs a strong defense system. Pakistan’s army is its most disciplined institution and employs over 500,000 people, and its military is Pakistan’s best protection at its borders. Calling for military and intelligence reform should not be confused with anti-nationalism; we must always remember the sacrifices of those foot soldiers who valiantly put their lives on the line for their nations’ security.
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. He has been writing on Pakistani society and politics since 1986. He has held several media, communications, and technology positions for organizations large and small. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. He works for a leading technology firm and blogs at www.ibrahimsajidmalick.com
though your article is insightful, but then again, lets not forget the political arena of the country has long been corrupt and the first thing which comes to one’s mind when one thinks of current government, is THIEF and MURDERER!!
in this respect, putting ISI in civilian control would do nothing more then even further harm the safety of the country…
being under political control ISI would lose its effectiveness and heance the wall of safeguard of people living here in Pakistan will come in hell lot of danger…
I respect your views but before writing something its better that you ask someone about their views about the country then discussing it over dinner with some one who only knows what he reads and sees on international media…
IAM UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHY PAKISTANIS WHO R SITTING N USA OR ANY EUOROPEAN COUNTRY,WHO MAY KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT PAKSITAN,WANT TO BRING CHANGES N PAKISTAN.
WHY THEY HAVE TOUNGES OF USA IN THEIR MOUTHS?
WHY THE WORLD IS SO MUCH CARING ABOUT ISI?HAS ANY ONE SUJJESTED THAT CIA,FBI,MOSSAD,RAW SHOULD ALSO BE CONTROLED OR NEED A MAKE OVER.
ACTUALLY THE WORLD IS SO MUCH AFRAID OF ISI,BCOZ IT IS A BIG HURDLE IN COMPLETING THE NEFARIUOS WISHES OF USA AND OTHER SO CALLED FRIENDS OF PAKSITAN.AND OTHER THEN THERE THIS IS NO PROBLEM FOR THE WORLD.
IAM A PAKISTANI-LIVING N PAKISTAN-SAY WE DO NOT NEED ANY ADVISES FROM THE WORLD THAT WHAT WE NEED OR NOT,SO PLZ STOP ADVISING US,MY MESSAGE IS ALSO FOR THE AUTHOR(SO CALLED PAKISTANI) OF THIS ARTICLE.
I admire your work BUT I think that ISI shall never be controlled by civilian Govt. Reason is very simple a Govt. slave of IMF can do nothing.
The root problem is the mentality of our general public. They don’t vote for the right person infact they dont have any right person to vote for. I am a student of graduation and 99% of my fellows have never voted. Because the top thieves and looters of the society are the persons for whom we r supposed to vote.
Come to ground realities plz….
Perhaps I know ISI much more than yourself. I am convinced to tell you that Officers (both civilian and armed forces) are united on the subject. And their answer is never to fall directly in hands of a corrupt, foreign supported, puppet and imposed leadership. ISI cannot be an earning instrument for such leadership.
Another piece of advice for you; do not speculate about organizations, people and individuals, whom you do not even know. Your article is mostly based on speculations. I would like to enlighten your mind with one thing about ISI. This organization is being commanded by a number of serving General of Pakistan army. Now, general are under command of GHQ as they are serving. And as everyone knows Chief of Army Staff works with Parliament’s approval on National/Security Issues. So, this should be clear to you that ultimately it is the Pakistani Parliament, which is controlling the ISI.
Above in view it is expected from you to meet someone who actually knows ISI and then write about it. Secondly, no one has the right to decide the fate of various departments of Pakistan Government. Especially the people, who are not conversant with our culture, traditions and environment.
i read your whole article and the whole article focuses more on reforming and bringing Army & ISI in civilian control. which is good but in ideal circumstances. have you ever asked what people working at intelligence agencies and army think about the current situation. these two are the only institutions who safeguarding Pakistan. no civil institution is not performing its duty with honesty and full commitment.
our government, police, so-called free judiciary are all corrupt. our rulers themselves involve generals and intelligence in politics and use them against their opponents. so in such circumstances how you expect form ISI and Army to remain unbiased??? and most importantly if they are doing work Bhal siphai(cleaning canals), meter checking by a fauji jawan, law & order within cities. if they are doing all the work and government employees are only getting salaries.you people only criticize them but from their side they are bound by rules and don’t answer such unfair allegations. lets first reform government, judiciary, bureaucracy, police and politicians and then think of reforming least dishonest and corrupt institutions and putting them under corrupt administration. i hope you won’t
With due respect, as a true pakistani, i believe that its the Armed forces of pakistan and the great intelligence agencies of our motherland, that Pakistan is standing tall and we all fell safe.
If you give these agencies into the hands of Civilians, which every1 knows what civilian will mean here, Corrupt people with the agenda of destroying our land then like Pervaiz Musharraf said in his last speech, PAKISTAN KA ALLAH HI HAFIZ.
Khuda ke wastay, kuch akal ki baat karo yaar!
I dont want to see our forces blocking the roads for stupid politicians. (VIP movements). cant you see hundreads of poor law inforcement ppl standing on roads for hours and hours with no water no food in the bare heat waiting for CRI****S to pass…
LORD help our nation…
salam,
Read you article and really appreciate the face that you are trying to advertise your idea and thoughts for the greater good.
But don’t you think by doing this, this would create more problems for us…our govt is not capable of handling a small issue, where as over here ISI and institute has to step in in the end to resolve big and small issues.
And plus US it self is controlled by there intelligences.
Regards
Danish Elahi
Yeah. Right said Shahzad you just cant trust Zardari Government.
I second Shazad. You are absolutely right. ISI should not be given under control of the CIVILIAN government as current government and almost all the past civilian governments were …………. You better know what i am trying to say …
We have to remember that the biggest reason for Pakistan not having proper democracy and wide corruption is because the army never let the country develop its democratic system. It takes, time, effort, trial and error for anything to work.
Its been decades since there was ever a democratically elected party which completed its term (does not include mushrraff era)
Lets remember if the politicians are corrupt then so are our army generals who are easily bought by money, just because they wear a uniform doesnt mean they are loyal. Everyone knows how top generals use their power and how corrupt they really are, using the low level hard working army ‘jawans’ to their advantage.
BUt then again, i do not like when a politician supports democracy. Politicians, just like the army, are only interested in governing Pakistan for their own interest, getting free security, free housing, and loads of Government funding to eat from.
lets not forget ISI remains the first line of defence for the integrity and exixstance of this boundried land which is humbled by extreme internal as well as external threats due to unusual geo-political location, powerful enemy and complex cultural differences of diverse sectorial or multi-ethnic populace that is emotional and religious.
Yet it is widely being felt now that ISI is only but weakened by its misuse by elements for political spy-games.
ISI is Eyes and Ears of Nation.
Governments are volatile, ISI is Rock Solid.
Any attempt to suppress ISI would lead to make enemies happy.
I strongly condemn this article.
this is just not good, criticising our own people who give everything for our saftey THE ISI
why is this arguement on the world’s media about ISI and our nuclear programme? WHY???
it should totally be banned!!
pakistan is ISI and ISI is pakistan!
these civilian govts. the corrupts,the thiefs.u mean, to give ISI under their control? i am sorry dear u really need to think again
hmmm.. you depicted the article very well but the facts and figures says something else… as far as current civilian govt is concerned; they neither respectable people nor efficient to take control o state intelligence and secure a country from the enemy across the border.. though i am not from military background but what i have conceived fromthe current scenario, the govt is amateur… it will be huge risk in order to give up the power to incompetent people…!!!!
this is all from my side…
Woow…Thats the spirit of our people…i am agree and salute to every one who are against the control of ISI under political Govt….ISI is not only the agency, ISI is the threat for enemies of Pakistan. Not only ISI but our army is the best in the world. Our army and ISI is only force in the world which is totally volunteer force. They are giving everything, life—time—families—hardships—-difficulties—for defense of Pakistan…
Ask yourself what you are doing for Pakistan…just giving remarks…Come and do something practical for Pakistan than criticize others…
I am proud of my forces and ISI–MI
Blaming ISI is in fashion with most of the people. Lets not point finger towards both politicians and the military janta for a while, what do we see. A nation which does little hard work but it demands are endless. Free education, Free treatment and many more things but on ground we hardly contribute anything. We want to fill our banks with money and inflate our personal bank accounts but we want the government to spend more and more on us. A nation approaching 170 million of population has less then 1.3 million tax payers. We make hue and cry about the loss of government writ in the tribal areas but what about the rest of the country, do we have any governance there or any writ of the government, The answer is a Big NO. 100% citizens of Pakistan are doing what they want to do, uncontrolled or unregulated businesses without any regard for any regulatory laws.
Political Parties are crowded by few families, and these families are ruling at least three provinces out of four if not all of them. So undemocratic political parties are claiming as the champions of democracy.
Pakistan Army is the only institution which is standing tall on its own, Pakistan army has defeated Taliban with in four months since the lauch of their decisive battle is swat and else where. ISI has played a key role in the success.
Isreal, India, America and Germany all have military adventures as part of their history to protect their interests. ISI must keep on working the way it has been doing. As a Pakistani we all must support our only viable institution.
Shahzad is right, a wise man said! when ur enemy dislikes you it means you r doing right and if they likes you, that means you are doing wrong.
Good to see that even being ignorant , most of usvote in favour of ISI and Pak. US and its allies always hit the bull . Why such propagations dont appear against other int agencies. Simply because of western ethnic prejudice against muslims in general and Pak(nuclear) in particular. Why to learn from Indonesia and Chile why not to get lessons from CIA. Does CIA work through the bounds being suggested for ISI ??? NO not at all … So is true for RAW, MUSSAD, KGB and others ….. !
IGNORANCE is blessing . All anti ISI actors hate its role because it does not submit to their demands…. its jut prejudice nothing else and rather another acceptance for the elegance of our agencies…. !!
what u want ISI under Mr Zardari ( Mr. 10%) . We dont want to see ISI being wrecked like other institutions of Pakistan .
ISI is the first line of defence of our country, its the Eyes and Ears of our Nation. and I think we can not let it come under the control of our civilian government putting ISI in civilian control would harm the safety of the country. ISI is doing a great job being as it is. If any one wants they should try and restructure the RAW, CIA, FBI & MUSSAD not the ISI. If ISI had not been there god knows what would have happend to Pakistan. So long live ISI and Pakistan both Zindabad
Ibrahim Sb- very good article. I admire your courage to write the truth. It is high time that Pakistani people control our agencies, and politicians. Don’t get intimidated by these ISI bloggers and keep on exposing the truth.
For those who have not read it complete may i suggest you use dictionary and re-read before commenting.
“In saying all this, though, we must remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Like any other state, Pakistan needs a strong defense system. Pakistan’s army is its most disciplined institution and employs over 500,000 people, and its military is Pakistan’s best protection at its borders. Calling for military and intelligence reform should not be confused with anti-nationalism; we must always remember the sacrifices of those foot soldiers who valiantly put their lives on the line for their nations’ security.”
Finally someone has the courage to speak the truth. Majority of Pakistanis know that ISI must be reigned in. Otherwise we will continue to live in the shadows of tyranny. Democracy is the awnser to all our ills. Even in our politicians are corrupt- they are atleast people that we elect. Like Hamid Mir said in his recent article- even a weak and corrupt democracy is better than miliary rule.
This article is no more than a piece of shit and the person who wrote is no more than a creep.
I agree that isi must be under the control of civil government but not under clawns ,,, if isi is under zardaris, sharifs , walis, altafs, shujaats and whole bunch of jokers they will sell the country and fill their pocket and run away from here ,, its the isi who has kept us together and has saved us by the grace of God ,, and i hope that their activities r more positive rather than thinking of governing the country ,,,,,,,,,
Dear Ibrahim Sajid Malick
You have started a debate vital to democracy in Pakistan. If Pakistan has to survive peacefully, rule of law must be implemented. Military must obey the constitution and ISI should be run under the civilian rule. Pakistan’s integrity and security has been the excuse to subjugate Pakistanis under subsequent despotic autocracy. Sovereignty of civilian rule and imposition of law and order emanating from representative institutions put in place with a public mandate is the only way forward. Congratulations for pioneering a very important national discourse.
Fatal Error !!!!!!! by this infant democratic political setup
, just wait and see Politicians are once again testing the defenders nerves.
Very well written column. I agree 100%. ISI goons should be exposed and tried under the court of law. They must explain where did all the pakistanis disappear? Who kidnapped Dr.Afia Siddiqui and her kids? a true patriotic pakistani must be willing to address this question open and clearly.
I congratulate the author for his courage and admire his style. He has asked for change but not maligned our armed services.
Malick sahab- you have been warned – phir na kahna hamay pata na tha why the hell are you pushing indian and american line? you must explain you piece shit. come to aab para and i will show you who rules.
murad ali- who are you? why are you threatening a journalist? I know you don’t work for ISI because ISI will never do such a thing. So please drop that discussion of aab para and move on.
Lame thread….. totally useless
ISI if gets controlled by the present government……..then i think perhaps all the 10000 men of isi will be replaced by so called “JIYALAS” of Zardari,like they are doing in every other government department and ruining it completely.I think all those who have written against government control of ISI would have said other wise if the politicians and rulers in the government were sincere and honest.And i like all other Pakistanis will anxiously wait what this democracy will give us after 5 years.
But nevertheless ISI should not involve itself in things like “missing persons” cases that are coming to light nowadays.
Mr who ever you are affiliated with , that person is not a friend or die hard Pakistani who wants to dismantle the ISI , what you are suggesting in your article is what the cia and the raw and mosaad wants so please tell your bosses to get a life and ISI will never come under there control through there agents in the federal government .
And as mustafa kamal said i totally agree with him on this point that such questions should be asked openly that who kidnapped hundereds of pakistanis.And those who committed these things should be tried under the Court of the law.
Well said Murad Ali… Jeetay Raho
Do you know that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the so-called civilian, democratic leader, brought the ISI into politics to serve his political interests? It was ZAB who issued the executive order creating a political cell within the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) with the purpose of influencing political processes in Pakistan? This fateful decision in 1975 eventually brought ZA Bhutto’s own downfall when he used this cell to unnecessarily rig the 1977 elections and was overthrown and executed by General Zia-ul-Haq. It was also this cell that helped Nawaz Sharif , a protege of General Zia-ul-Haq, get elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan after the General’s death in a mysterious air crash followed by a brief term in office by Benazir Bhutto. In 1990 the ISI received 140m rupees (US$2.2m at current values) to rig national elections, according to supreme court testimony by the then chief of army staff, General Mirza Aslam Beg.
FACT: Pakistan has an ISI problem – the country’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency pursues its own agenda for its own reasons. And civilian leaders have been too hesitant to challenge it.
SOLUTION: Make ISI anwserable to the people of Pakistan.
PROBLEM: Politicians are too corrupt.
RESPONSE: Military is no angel. ISI is not only corrupt but also criminal.
We have a problem. We must solve it.
Mr. Malick- don’t let these ISI agents intimidate you.
The ISI operates under its own definition of Pakistan’s national interest -and bloggers here are acting whimsically as well.
And for all of you patriots- ISI has received plenty of outside help. In the 1980s, the CIA cooperated with the ISI and Saudi intelligence in funding, training, and arming Afghan and foreign guerrillas to fight the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
So stop claiming that ISI is not an extension of CIA- it is American’s pupet. They kidnapped so many Pakistanis and handed them over to CIA. Did they not? Is that Pakistan’s national interest?
i feel pitty on the writer but i feel very happy reading the comments
so, i think knowledgeable writer is unaware of the fact that america himself is not under democratic rule rather under the control of FBI CIA and pentagon., so how can u expect to leave our intelligence agency at the mercy of bussinessmen (politicians).
Mr. Ibrahim Sajid Malick- you are a step a ahead of the game. Pakistan’s leading daily, The News just reported Pakistan has decided to restructure ISI, to make it more efficient and vibrant.
“The effort that is already underway would bring energetic and more dedicated personnel into the fold of the agency who could live up to the challenges of the modern age,” The News said.
As part of the effort, 32 officers of the rank of brigadier and colonel have been retired “and it is expected that other officers who have not proved their utility would be shown the door further down the line in the months to come”, the newspaper said.
The agency is also being trimmed in the manner the army was restructured three years ago without compromising its operational capabilities.
Well placed sources in the defence ministry told The News that the ISI had expanded in recent years out of proportion, especially because officers who on the verge of superannuation joined the agency and subsequently managed to stay on.
“The practice expanded the agency in terms of numbers without enhancing its tangible capacity,” the sources said.
Thus various departments of the agency were asked for a status report on officers who had attained the age of superannuation but were still working with it but without putting in anything useful. Since such officers were a burden on the organisation, it was decided they should be asked to immediately leave, the sources added.
The retrenchment process will continue for at least two more years.
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So I get your game- you actually work for ISI and float this article before anything happens and to demonstrate that people don’t like it. Fuck you..
ANYONE FROM ISI READING THIS- PLEASE I AM BEGGING YOU TO TELL US ABOUT ZAMIR ANSARI FAMILY. PLease!
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On 1 May 1996, Zamir Hasan Ansari, a retired section officer of the Pakistan ministry of foreign affairs, “disappeared” from his home in Islamabad, along with his wife Feroza Khanom and their two grown-up children, Riffat Anjum and Anjum Kamal. There whereabouts since that time remain unknown. Available evidence clearly indicate that the family was detained by ISI. Zamir Hasan Ansaris was stationed in New Delhi between 1985 and 1990 whilst working for the Pakistan foreign service – which possibly aroused suspicion.
The four family members went missing from their home between 2:30 and 5:00pm on 1 May. A friend had spoken to them on the telephone at 2:30, but there was no reply to a caller who telephoned at 5:00pm. The family were expected at a dinner engagement that evening but did not arrive. Subsequent inquiries revealed that they had not informed relatives, friends or neighbours about any intention to leave the city that day.
On 8 May, police and concerned relatives entered the family’s house and found it empty with almost everything intact. No locks had been broken and there were no visible signs of a struggle. It appeared as though the family had been disturbed in the middle of a meal as there were remains of food on the table. Although some expensive items such as a video recorder were missing, money and jewellery which were openly displayed had not been taken.
Tariq Hasan, the second son of Zamir Hasan Ansari who had been living in the United States when his family “disappeared”, returned to Pakistan to look for them. He received unofficial acknowledgement from several people in positions of authority that the family was in the custody of the ISI. On 7 June he filed a First Information Report with the police claiming that his family had been abducted. He also filed a habeas corpus petition in the Lahore High Court in which he named the police and ISI as respondents. However, despite ten hearings of the petition the fate or whereabouts of the Ansari family have not been established. All the respondents named in the habeas corpus petition denied any knowledge of the family’s whereabouts and the police who were ordered to investigate the case reported no progress in their investigations. The lastest hearing in the petition was in September 1996. No date was set for a further hearing. The court apparently requested the investigating police officer to inform the court once the family had been located so that the petition could be taken up again.
Following Tariq Hasans effort’s to publicise the “disappearance” of his family and to put pressure on the authorities to reveal their fate or whereabouts, he received threats from a number of officials that his own life and that of his family could be at risk because of the action he had taken. He was told to keep a low profile. One police officer reportedly told Tariq Hasan that it was a mistake to bring the case to the attention of Amnesty International which could do nothing more than send appeals, and that Tariq Hasan would eventually be left on his own but in a worse situation than before.
Amnesty International has repeatedly expressed concern to the Government of Pakistan about the reported “disappearance” of the Ansari family and has appealed to the authorities on numerous occasions to make known the family’s whereabouts as a matter of urgency should they be detained by any agency of the state. The Human Rights Ministry of Pakistan responded to Amnesty International on 3 November saying that the “disappearance” of the Ansari family was a matter of grave concern to the Government of Pakistan.The Ministry reported making enquiries about the whereabouts of the family with the different security agencies in Pakistan, but without any success. The letter said the security agencies have been directed “to step up their efforts to locate the missing family”.
MURAD YOUR COMMENT IS SHAMEFUL. YOU THINK YOU CAN INTIMIDATE PEOPLE? THIS IS HOW ISI GETS BAD NAME. PEOPLE LIKE YOU DESTROY PAKISTAN ARMY PRIDE AND NAME. I AM SUGGESTING THAT YOU READ THIS ARTICLE AGAIN.
harami indian agent- mosad agent- mather faker
ISI (army) the only barrier between the safety of Pakistan (rest of the half). Others are afraid of ISI (army) capabilities.
Main target is bring Pakistan down, they can’t do it unless ISI (Army) safeguarding Pakistan. They have change their tactics and started criticizing ISI (indirectly Pakistan Army), bringing this wall down Pakistan will come down as USSR.
(read two books from ex ISI operative, books name GHAZI & JANBAZ)
A Chinese think tank analyst is arguing that a fragmented India would be in China’s best interest, and would also lead to prosperity in the region. The report proposes dividing the country into thirty independent states.
A lot is being written about the fact that US is developing a close alliance with India as part of the American strategy to counter the growing Chinese influence in Asia and the rest of the world. In addition to the burgeoning nuclear cooperation worth many billions of dollars, there is a multi-billion dollar US arms sale deal with India expected in the near future.
All of this is adding to the Chinese anxiety and their strategizig about how to deal with a militaristic India (and its ongoing massive arms buildup) backed by the US on its borders.
One way China can counter the threat is by undermining India’s unity and integrity as a nation from within to keep it pre-occupied with multiple insurgencies, similar to the strategy India has been pursuing in Pakistan since the 1960s. First in Bangladesh, then by pressure on Pakistan through Afghanistan (and revival of the Durand discussion), and now the re-invigorated Baloch insurgency and a concerted Indian campaign against Pakistani military and the ISI inside Pakistan.
Mr. Riaz Haq
Expansionist designs of states to break other states do not help progress. You have rightly quoted the example of Indian efforts to undermine the territorial integrity and solidarity of Pakistan. Did this conflict help progress in India or Pakistan? India spends huge amounts of money on defence while its citizens suffer. Far flung states like Assam have not seen any development in 63 years. You could see similar situation in Pakistan. Most of Baluchistan, NWFP, Sindh or Punjab have yet to see any sign of development since the British built the railroads. Pakistan has been doubly jeopardised by sacrificing democracy to autocratic military regimes. Sovereignty of civilian rule over hitherto above the law military and ISI and the demand for the rights to the resources of Baluchistan by the people of that province sound like an Indian conspiracy to you but those are problems that must be addressed urgently. If India fears expansionist designs they must address the problems of far flung, neglected states and poverty. Poor, hungry masses have always been a reason for instability of states besides intruding neighbours. Setting your own house in order by empowering the people through democracy and upholding supremacy of the law could go a long way in defending territorial boundaries and preserving solidarity.
Respect. Peace.
Mr. Murad, I do have respect for your patriotism; however, you need to be careful yourself. Please do not put a bad name to the Organization. You do not even belong to it; so do not pretend in this way.
Broken Man, Ansaris are just a myth. It is easier to cultivate stories, take covers and vanish. Especially when someone becomes an agent of a hostile agency. So as they say “Curiosity Kills The Cat”; it never happened. Because there was never the cat when time came. It found a hostile home and ultimately perished. The organization has nothing to do with there disappearance.
Coming on the subject; Mr. Sajid Malick seems a well trained and engineered expert of foreign agencies. And I am sure his intellect level revolves around Benjamin Franklin (the US Dollar Bill). The article has proved an emotional sabotage for patriot Pakistanis. An excellent propaganda of foreign wishes. It is easier to find his inclination in other articles, he wrote. In a nut-shell he is just a mouth organ of hostile agencies and their policies.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL PAKISTANIS
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
You can blame an institution or a system or reffering to another article on this site, the religion, and claim to have come up with an out of this world solution for all this………..as long as those very same ppl and their religion of corruption is there, nothings gonna change
ISI is the protector of our country. After ofcourse Allah almighty.
As long as ISI and Pak Army remain intact in the current form our homeland is secure by the grace of Allah ofcourse.
Long Live Pak Army!
Long Live Pakistan!
strongly disagree,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.