Extension in ISI chief’s tenure indicates Pak Army acting as “law unto itself”: Editorial

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s decision to extend the tenure of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt.Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha indicates that the Pakistan Army is acting as a “law unto itself,” says an editorial in on of the country’s leading English dailies.

The editorial in The Dawn questioned General Kayani’s move to grant a one-year extension in service to Shuja bypassing all necessary guidelines.

It also rejected explanations that the country’s security situation demanded ‘continuity’ in the highest office of the ISI, while pointing out that there has been no talk of ‘exemptions’ and ’special considerations’ for top US or British military offices in Afghanistan, where the situation is far more hostile than Pakistan.

“Technically, the ISI chief, supposedly selected by the Prime Minister, can be a civilian but the army has traditionally not allowed anyone from outside the service to occupy that office,” the editorial said.

It said that the Pakistan Army high command has showed lack of foresight when it appointed General Pasha as the ISI chief in 2008.

“One glance at a calendar should have alerted those involved in General Pasha’s appointment that he would reach the age of retirement before his term as ISI chief would expire,” the ditorial said. (ANI)