Extension to ISI chief has been on the cards for a while. In fact, that possibility was signalled when Pasha was appointed. The post carries a three-year term. Pasha had two years go for his superannuation when he moved from his perch at the military operation into the ISI headquarters in Oct 2008. Yet, he was picked up for the job because of the trust the army chief had in him.
In a sense, the extension Pasha got now shows that Kayani is calling the shots in Islamabad, denials notwithstanding.
With America nearer to the ‘end game’ in Afghanistan under the compulsion of domestic politics ,Kayani- Pasha duo can be expected to move Pakistan a step closer to realising the country’s old dream of strategic depth beyond the Durand Line. Both will cash in on America’s willingness (with some prompting from the UK) for talks with ‘good’ Taliban.
It is possible that Islamabad will offer to act as an honest broker between President Karzai and the Taliban. And the offer will be accepted hoping that the talks would pave the way for a face saving exit formula.
More than the Afghan front, it is the India-Pak theatre that will experience the Pasha imprint since the very raison d’être of ISI is proxy war against India through the instrument of terrorist outfits, who, interestingly, had their birth with the US acting as mid-wife at the time of Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Significantly, Gen Kayani’s military doctrine, which was articulated a month ago before a select group of media persons, declares India as Enemy No One. It also calls for keeping India off Afghanistan. The recent attacks on Indian working in Afghan reconstruction programme reinforce the view that Pasha’s footsoldiers are vigorously working to realise the Kayani goals.
