ISI
ISI
ISI
3.Aggressive intelligence
The primary mission of ISI includes aggressive intelligence which
comprises espionage, psychological warfare, subversion, sabotage.[6]
4.Counterintelligence
ISI has a dedicated section which spies against enemy's intelligence
collection.[6]
Methods used by the ISI to collect information
Human Intelligence
o ISI is a very well-funded organisation. It employs a large
number of different types of human resource which share
information voluntarily or involuntarily. The ISI agents often
build a very warm relationship with the subjects and take a
long time to build trust. Initially, Indian Muslims were most
attempted targets but now high caste Hindu diaspora is the
real attraction of ISI agents for espionage.[19]
Diplomatic missions
o Diplomatic missions provide an ideal cover and ISI centres in
a target country are generally located on the embassy
premises.[6]
Multinationals
o ISI operatives find good covers in multinational
organisations. Non-governmental organizations and cultural
programmes are also popular screens to shield ISI
activities.[6]
Media
o International media centres can easily absorb ISI operatives
and provide freedom of movement.[6]
Collaboration with other agencies
o ISI maintains active collaboration with other secret services
in various countries. Its contacts with Saudi Arabian
Intelligence Services, Chinese Intelligence, the
American CIA and British MI6 have been well known.[citation
needed]
1. The fact that the ISI head is nominated by the PM on the advice of the
army chief does not imply that his loyalty shifts to the civilian
government. It only implies that the army chief decides who is best suited
to fulfil his plans and ambition for the country.
2. Anyone, despite all his power and authority even questioning the shaping
of the country by the ISI or seeking to challenge the writ of the army, can
be in for a rude shock. Nawaz Sharif as the PM experienced it. Not only
was he removed from his post on trumped up charges but also pushed
behind bars for the duration of elections, ensuring that the army chief’s
protégé, Imran Khan, gains power.
3. Other major political parties saw the game, and realised whom the ISI was
shaping as the next PM and hence refused to either comment or interfere.
Nawaz Sharif was released as soon as the new government took office,
clearly proving the intentions of the ISI and the army. Asif Ali Zardari too
was threatened, withdrew from the race and has been largely ignored.
4. The Islamabad High Court Judge, Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who laid bare the
truth behind the intentions of the ISI shaping the political future of the
country, in an address to the bar council, was sacked on the
recommendations of the chief justice. He had stated:“Today the judiciary
and media have come under the control of ‘bandookwala’ (army). The
judiciary is not independent. Even the media is getting directions from
the military. The media is not speaking the truth because it is under
pressure and has its interests. In different cases, the ISI forms benches of
its choice to get desired results.”He had spoken what many desired but
feared.
5. The true reason for his removal was his strong anti-ISI and army views,
which could have impacted the hold of the ISI, as being the senior most
judge of the Islamabad High Court, he would have become its chief justice
in November, when the present incumbent retires. The ISI would prefer
anyone but him.
6. His sacking was on the recommendations of the same chief justice, Mian
Saqib Nisar, who had ordered the removal of Nawaz Sharif. No other
individual has been investigated and punished at the speed at which Nawaz
Sharif was. It is slowly becoming evident that the sentencing was done on
incorrect inputs. His case was a clear warning to all politicians: toe the
army line or face a combined judiciary and ISI onslaught.
7. Anti-establishment writers and bloggers have either been attacked, their
residences ransacked or kidnapped to reappear after some time with
complete amnesia of what happened. The few who were able to leave the
country claimed attacks by ISI or its supporters. Taha Siddiqui, the
reporter for WION, who was kidnapped in January this year, however
managed to escape and narrate his incident, is the latest in the string of
attacks on army critics.
8. The recent court case involving Nawaz Sharif and The Dawn journalist,
Cyril Almeida, is another classic example of shaping the nation. Cyril had
faced the wrath of the ISI for the infamous dawn leaks of 16 October,
wherein in a meeting Nawaz Sharif cautioned the army on the increasing
international pressure demanding more action against armed groups, was
released by The Dawn. It also resulted in multiple resignations and
sackings, till the army was satisfied.
9. More recently, Cyril has been charged under treason, alongside Nawaz
Sharif, for publishing an interview with him in May this year, wherein
Nawaz Sharif had stated, “Should we allow them to cross the border and
kill 150 people in Mumbai.” The pressure has been such that he has
stopped his weekly columns in The Dawn. The case is in progress, which
again is a warning to all others, never challenge the army or the ISI would
target you.
10. Newspapers and TV channels are blocked and restricted on just a phone
call by the ISI. Reporters were removed for an anti-army bias and media
heads briefed on how to report on national security. Just last week, the
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority served show cause notices
to news channels which aired a controversial talk by former senator Hasmi,
who stated that the armed forces had “done nothing for the defence and
betterment of the country’ and that weapons acquired for defence were
‘merely showpieces’.”
THE POLITICAL ROLE OF THE ISI UP TILL NOW
1. In the Asghar Khan case, the then DG-ISI General (retd) Asad
Durani has admitted that funds were distributed by the
organisation to manipulate the 1990 elections against the
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). these cases relate to the
involvement of the ISI in politics and its interference in the
election process in favour of those parties considered more
patriotic and suitable for promoting a certain kind of ideology.
An impression has been created that it was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,
who for ulterior motives established a political cell of the ISI in
1975 and involved it in politics.
2. In 1975, during the Balochistan insurgency, the Hyderabad
tribunal was set up to try over 50 Pakistanis, mainly Baloch
and Pashtun politicians from the National Awami Party, who
were charged with various crimes including treason. The
evidence against the accused was mainly based on intelligence
reports compiled by the ISI. According to the late Naseerullah
Babar, Attorney General Yahya Bakhtiar was of the view that
since the ISI had no defined role that mandated it to monitor
political activities, therefore, these reports would not be
accepted by the tribunal. To make the evidence legally
admissible, an administrative order was issued, mandating the
ISI to monitor the activities of political parties. However, this
order did not authorise it to make alliances, distribute funds or
manipulate elections.