Ahmad Shuja Pasha

Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha (born 1952) is the current Director of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan's premier intelligence service.

Background

Pasha has commanded an infantry division, a mechanized infantry brigade, an infantry battalion and has served as the Chief Instructor of the Command and Staff College of the Pakistani Army. From 2001-2002, General Pasha served as a Contingent and Sector Commander of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone. [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sga1098.doc.htm Secretary-General Appointees Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha of Pakistan as Military Adviser, Dep. Of Peacekeeping Operations] United Nations] From 2005 to September 2008 Pasha was the director general of military operations for the Pakistani army. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/29/AR2008092903065.html?nav=rss_world “Pakistan Picks New Chief For Intelligence Agency”] by Karen DeYoung, Washington Post, retrieved September 30, 2008]

ISI appointment

The newly elected civilian government of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani tried for two months to gain control of the appointment for the director of the ISI as well as place the agency under the administrative, financial, and operational control of the Interior Ministry. [ [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C10%5C01%5Cstory_1-10-2008_pg3_1 Welcome change of guard at ISI] Editorial, Daily Times (Pakistan), retrieved October 2, 2008] However, the attempt failed when Chief of the Army, General Kayani appointed Pasha on September 29, 2008. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/01/world/asia/01pstan.html “Pakistan Names New Intelligence Chief”] By Jane Perlez, The New York Times, retrieved September 30, 2008] Pasha’s prior post was responsible for planning operations against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants in the FATA and NWFP provinces of Pakistan, signaling a reorientation from the ISI's traditional Kashmir/India focus. [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/addeda9e-8eff-11dd-946c-0000779fd18c.html Anti-terror chief ousted in Pakistan] By Farhan Bokhari, Financial Times, retrieved October 2, 2008] Pasha is closely allied to General Kayani, the CIA, and holds anti-Taliban views. [ [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JJ01Df01.html The fight goes on, militants tell Pakistan] by Syed Saleem Shahzad, Asia Times Online, retrieved September 30, 2008] The United States Government had pressured Pakistan to replace Nadeem Taj, the prior chief of the ISI, whom they claimed as “double dealing” with militants with a more acceptable candidate like Pasha. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24415172-2703,00.html ISI chief urged to quit as battle rages at border] by Bruce Loudon, The Australian, retrieved September 30, 2008] [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Pakistan/US_behind_change_of_guard_in_ISI/articleshow/3546363.cms US behind change of guard in ISI?] The Times of India, retrieved October 2, 2008] Additionally, Pasha’s appointment was part of a wider Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army reappointment shake-up that solidified General Kayani’s loyality among the military as all prior appointees were done by former President and Chief of the Army Pervez Musharraf. [http://www.dawn.com/2008/09/30/top1.htm Kayani shakes up army command] , By Iftikhar A. Khan, Dawn (newspaper), October 2, 2008] has a wonderful family back ground.His elder brother was a senior army officer (now retired) has served the nation very sincerely.

References