Thanks to Raymond Davis, ISI chief gets extension

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has approved an extension to Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha as director general of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence for a period of one year.

The decision to retain Pasha in uniform and as ISI DG was taken because of his commendable role in the ongoing war against terrorism, The News quoted a well-placed defence source as saying.

Defence experts are of the view that Pasha's presence would be required for foiling intrigues against Pakistan at a critical juncture in the war on terror. Pasha has been DG of the country's external intelligence service since October 2008.

Already on a year-long extension given to him since March 2010 after reaching the retirement age, Lt General Pasha's second 'tenure' comes to an end on March 18. The increasing tension between the ISI and the Central Intelligence Agency over the arrest of United States official Raymond Davis is also believed to have reinforced the thinking that an experienced hand is needed at the helm to defuse the situation.

"Pasha's familiarity with the issue may be important in dealing with the current tension with the US," Lt-General (retired) Talat Masood was quoted as saying. "The grave challenges faced by the country require continuity in the ISI leadership."