Pakistan extends ISI chief's tenure

Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani has extended the tenure of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha by a year.

Pasha, who has been heading the ISI since October 2008, was due to retire on March 18.

He is the fourth senior army official to be given an extension in service by General Kayani over the last few months, The Daily Times reports.

According to the Pakistan Army rules, a Major General retires at an age of 57 while a Lieutenant General retires either on reaching the age of 58 or completing a four-year

tenure, whichever falls first.

Insiders say that General Kayani's decision to extend Pasha's service has been made to ensure the continuity of the army's offensive against extremists in the troubled tribal regions of the country.

During Pasha's tenure as the ISI DG, the Pakistan Army conducted three operations in Swat, South Waziristan and Bajaur. It is also planning to open new fronts in the Orakzai Agency and in the North Waziristan.