The Hindu Business Line : Pakistan says ISI's political wing “closed''

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has closed the notorious political wing of the ISI, a move that will help limit the influence of the powerful spy agency, often accused of active involvement in “making or breaking'' parties and alliances.

“The political wing of ISI has been closed,'' said a statement issued by the Prime Minister, Mr Yousuf Raza Gilani's House, days after reports in this regard appeared in a section of media.

Mr Gilani hoped the move “would further improve the effectiveness of ISI as one of the premier institutions of the national security apparatus of the country'', said the statement issued late last night.

Foreign Minister, Mr Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a key member of Gilani's cabinet, had on Sunday confirmed media reports that the political wing of the ISI had been disbanded, describing it as a positive development.

Mr Qureshi said the ISI was a “precious national institution'' that wants to focus fully on counter-terrorism activities. However, western media reports the same day quoted an unnamed security official as saying that the ISI's political wing had only be en made “inactive''.

The confusion over the issue has been dispelled following the statement issued by Prime Minister's office, officials said.

The ISI has often been accused of being actively involved in monitoring and managing political activities inside and outside the government and “making or breaking'' political parties and alliances for over three decades.

Several retired ISI officials have admitted in recent media interviews that the agency had a role in influencing several elections in recent years. - PTI

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