Pakistan disbands spy unit linked to terrorists

The political wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which does not officially exist, has been linked to the manipulation of parties and the rigging of elections. Its disbandment is part of a move by the army chief, General Ashfaq Kiyani, to improve the military's popular standing following eight years of military rule under the former president, Pervez Musharraf. Washington and London have called for the ISI to be brought to heel as it is suspected of supporting the militants and orchestrating terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and India. A former commanding officer of the ISI's "C" wing described its work as "political management". It is matter of court record that the unit funnelled funds to the political opponents of the assassinated leader Benazir Bhutto in the 1990s. It played a vital role in rigging the 2002 general elections and helped Mr Musharraf form a coalition government with his allies. Its disbandment is a feather in the cap of the ISI's recently appointed chief, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shujaa Pasha as well as the ruling Pakistan People's Party. In July, the prime minister, Yusaf Raza Gilani, made a bizarre attempt to placate Washington by bringing the ISI under the control of the interior ministry ahead of a visit to Washington. His decision was reversed within hours. The foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said the ISI's political wing had been disbanded, and described it as a "positive development". "ISI is a precious national institution and it wants to focus fully on counter-terrorism activities," he said. Gen Kiyani is believed to have curtailed the political wing's rigging activities during this year's general election. However, it is not known how effective the unit's disbandment will be as another agency, Military Intelligence (MI), retains the capability to interfere in Pakistani politics. Bhutto had accused ISI officials of conspiring to destabilise her two governments in the 1990s. The political wing was established by her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan's first popularly elected prime minister, in the 1970s. Zulfiqar Bhutto was toppled and hanged by the military in the late 1970s. His daughter was assassinated last December. "The involvement of ISI in politics has been a major controversy in Pakistan. This decision will help it in earning respect in the eyes of people of Pakistan, particularly at a time when it is facing the major challenge of terrorism," said Talat Masood, a retired general and defence analyst.