Musharraf's secret service chief is ousted
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Under mounting pressure to confront militants, Pakistan has carried out a shake-up of its military leadership, ousting a Musharraf loyalist as head of the shadowy intelligence agency accused of harbouring links with Islamic extremists.
Pakistan's army chief, Gen Ashfaq Kayani, appointed Lt Gen. Ahmed Shujaa Pasha as the new director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), whichcriticised as a "state within a state" and accused of maintaining links with Taliban fighters. Gen Pasha replaces Lt. Gen Nadeem Taj, a relative of former president Pervez Musharraf.
The move follows a secret meeting over the weekend between Pakistan's recently elected president, Asif Ali Zardari, and the CIA head, Michael Hayden, about what the US intelligence organisation called the "double game played by Pakistan's spy agency".
Until now, the Pakistan army has been suspected of working with Washington on one hand while refusing to sever its links with its former militant clients on the other. Relations with the US hit an all-time low after the ISI was charged with being involved in the Taliban's July bomb attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul. Washington has since been accused of launching unauthorised airstrikes and even a ground incursion into Pakistani territory.
Gen Pasha's appointment is likely to be welcomed by Washington and may relax tensions between the two allies. As the head of military operations, Gen Pasha led the campaign against militants based in the rugged tribal areas along the Afghan border, and has spoken out against Islamabad's previous policy of supporting the Taliban.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments