With all the pressure of the ongoing political situation of the country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is faced with another extremely important and difficult decision which concerns an organization which is considered by some as the most vital part of Pakistan’s security. PM Nawaz Sharif has the task of choosing the next Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is Pakistan’s premier spy agency.
The time for the important ceremony looms close as the date of retirement of the current DG ISI draws near. Current DG ISI Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam who was appointed on the position in March 2012 is set to retire on 1st October. the government and military are in a complicated relationship at the moment and the appointment od the new ISI chief could be an opportunity for either party to try to strengthen their position.
The initial names for the post will be nominated by the Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Shareef and the Prime Minister will have to choose one from the recommended names. Gen Raheel Shareef will hold the cards first with the nominations and he will be looking for a man who is both experienced in intelligence matters and also someone who he can trust.
There are a few names which are being looked at with interest from analysts. These include NDU president Lt Gen Javed Iqbal Ramday, DG Rangers Sindh Maj Gen Rizwan Akhtar, Lt Gen Ikramul Haq and a few others. There is also a possibility that a newly promoted Lt General could be considered for the post. There are four posts that will be left vacant on October 1 as four Lt Generals are set to retire on that date as well. Whoever is chosen by the top brass, we hope their choice is made keeping in mind the best interests of the country and that the new ISI chief can help clear up the mess this country has gotten into in the last few years.