analysis: ISI in a democratic milieu

[fatman17]

analysis: ISI in a democratic milieu —Talat Masood

The very nature of intelligence agencies is such that it demands they remain secretive. But this should not result in intelligence agencies acquiring an independent status that distances them from the parliament and the government

Great confusion prevailed last week surrounding the government notification that placed the Inter Services Intelligence and the Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Interior. Politicians, civil society activists and some analysts welcomed the move, but others including former ISI chiefs and stalwarts of the past regime thought that it was a conspiracy, a sell-out to the Americans or/and the Indians.

However, the order pertaining to the ISI was rescinded the next morning and was reverted to the original organisational status that kept it directly under the Prime Minister.

This is another classic case which illustrates that Pakistan’s decision making process about major national issues is extremely flawed. In fact it lacks the structural and procedural ingredients necessary for arriving at rational decisions that have wide acceptability, are truly in the national interest and are enduring.

This reversal of the decision also indicates where the power still lies despite the induction of a civilian democratic dispensation. The merits of the decision to place the ISI under Ministry of Interior aside, what emerges clearly is that the transition to civilian rule is still a far cry and a pious hope; and that the civilian government is still tottering and unsure of itself.

In principle, the government was justified in trying to bring the premier intelligence agency under civilian control. Although nominally it is already under the prime minister but neither has he the time, the institutional structure or the political capacity for credible oversight.

In democracies worldwide, intelligence agencies are subservient to the civilian government both through organisational structures and through parliamentary oversight. Moreover, it is only by interacting with the parliament that the intelligence and political government’s thinking can come closer. In the case of Pakistan, when civilian governments have been in power, the two have been on different wavelengths.

There has generally remained a wide gap between the global and regional perspective of intelligence agencies and political parties. No doubt the values that are foremost for those defending the frontiers are at variance with the more relaxed value system of the society and politicians. The very nature of intelligence agencies is such that it demands they remain secretive. But this should not result in intelligence agencies acquiring an independent status that distances them from the parliament and the government.

It is only through this process of synthesis of different views that politicians and intelligence agencies harmonise their thinking, helping the government to formulate more rational policies. On broad policy issues and prioritisation of effort, a greater level of coordination between intelligence agencies is required. The government of course should remain the ultimate arbiter by asserting its political will over issues where there is difference of emphasis or substance.

In any case, intelligence agencies are not there to formulate policies. If politicians are on board for security and intelligence issues, society too starts appreciating the hard realities and intricacies of how the world and regional politics operate, how they influence each other and what the best course is for defending national interests and a country’s borders.

The government was wrong to take the decision in haste. Apparently, it did not consult the Chairman JSCS and the COAS. It should have formally taken up the issue in the Defence Committee of the Cabinet, placed it before the Cabinet and after its concurrence, brought the matter before the parliament.

Moreover, the choice of Ministry of Interior became controversial on two counts; the Ministry essentially deals with domestic issues whereas ISI’s sphere of activity is primarily external. Although in recent times, a major focus of ISI and IB is the rapidly increasing militancy in FATA and other parts of the country, that is partly a domestic and partly an external phenomenon.

Interestingly, several countries including Germany have their intelligence agencies dealing with external and strategic threats under the Ministry of Interior. In Germany, all the intelligence agencies are subjected to parliamentary oversight and scrutiny. All the proceedings of the intelligence committees are video-taped for record. Also, senior appointments in the agency are made only when they are cleared by the Bundestag.

In the US the Congress has intelligence committees that review, assess and scrutinise the work of all intelligence agencies. The CIA also interacts closely with the Chairman of the JSCS.

In Pakistan too it is now necessary that the parliament appoints intelligence committees and gradually assumes its responsibility of overseeing the premier intelligence agencies. In the beginning, it will undoubtedly face difficulties due to the absence of experience and its limited knowledge of intelligence issues. But Pakistan cannot forever remain a state where nothing changes for the better and we make the excuse that the civilian government is inexperienced and not capable of handling these sensitive matters.

Another related issue deals with the reputation of the ISI. Despite its highly professional capabilities and being ranked among the top intelligence agencies of the world, it has become a casualty of a systematic campaign of vilification and an easy target of India and the western world.

In essence its vulnerability lies in it being perceived as unaccountable and as — the oft repeated cliché — “a state within a state”. In reality, intelligence agencies such as CIA, RAW and MI5 may be involved in far greater and more detrimental clandestine activities in the region or at the global level to advance the so called national interests of their respective countries.

Another point of contention is the political role of the ISI in the country and the saga of missing persons. Whereas the “political cell” was established during Mr Bhutto’s tenure, it has taken a part of ISI’s valuable resources away from its primary role and has become involved in domestic politics. Not only is the existence of this cell a gross violation of democratic norms and immoral but it is also unfair to the organisation. The cell should be withdrawn through a government administrative order and Gazette notification.

Several countries, on a half-yearly or annual basis, issue intelligence estimates or security assessment statements for the benefit of the general public. This practice, apart from informing the public of the security situation and potential threats facing the country, acts as a good confidence building measure and improves rapport with the public.

Surely, the image of ISI abroad and within the country and Pakistan’s efforts at strengthening its security can improve if these institutional and administrative changes are introduced.

The writer is a retired Lieutenant General of the Pakistan Army. He can be reached at talat@comsats.net.pk

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[vish]

A great read sir... thanks.

The latest "oversight fiasco" has perhaps bought more damage to the ISI and Pakistan than most people imagine.

 

[Spring Onion]

A failed civilian coup



Thursday, July 31, 2008
Ikram Sehgal

Timed to go into effect before the prime minister reached the US, the bizarre government notification at nine pm on July 26, putting both the ISI and the IB under the "administrative, financial and operational" control of the federal interior ministry was no accident, it was deliberately intended to (1) demonstrate grandly to the US while the prime minister was there that the civilian govt had "brought the ISI to heel" and (2) enhance and solidify Asif Zardari's control over the country.

With both the ISI and the IB already reporting to the prime minister, the perception of creating "civilian control" was not simply for US consumption, the gamble was no one would react while the Pakistani PM was in the US, the inadvertent tacit US approval would have made it a fait accompli. It took only six hours for those who control the democratically elected government to see light; an urgent press release at 3am on July 27 by the Press Information Department (PID) "clarified" the notification as having been "misunderstood".

Though questionable given the controversy about the individual concerned, putting the IB under the ministry of interior is understandable since its primary mission is internal. The ISI being Pakistan's first line of defence against external enemies, and of this category there is no dearth. What was the logic it should report to the ministry of interior? Would the COAS ring up Section Officer Rafique (or whoever) to find out the order of battle (ORBAT) of the Indian army or the movements about its armoured divisions? Lt-Gen (r) Hamid Gul, former DG ISI, said there would be celebrations in India and Israel about the ISI's potential being emasculated. Control of intelligence agencies by responsible democracy is necessary but this logic is superseded by doubt about the constitutional legality of unelected individuals being privy to national secrets.

Everyone wants the elected assemblies to continue, but governance must be in the hands of those who have been elected by the people. Public servants or those taking oath of office are subject to the Official Secrets Act; and even that requires further scrutiny for higher security clearance. For democracy to function legally, Asif Zardari must be elected as an MNA and become prime minister, and once he takes oath of office, his security grading will stop all such controversy.


Our enemies, as all enemies are apt to, earnestly desire our disintegration and/or Balkanisation at the very least to disarm us of our nuclear assets. There is a nexus between them and misguided extremists who have become pawns of enemy intelligence agencies with one objective and one objective alone, to put the Pakistani state under pressure by engaging the armed forces internally and bringing its image under disrepute. While many of ISI exploits are unheard and unsung, unfortunately the advance publicity about the ISI's "political wing" creates misgivings among the citizens and tarnishes its image unnecessarily. This detracts from its primary role. The "black" propaganda is exploited by our enemies.
A former DG ISI incredulously maintains that technically the 'internal security' division of the ISI has additional political tasks among its functions and hence that a 'political wing' does not even exist! What astounding logic! It surely merits in Ripley's 'Believe it or not' and – jokes aside – undercuts our credibility as a state. The 'political function', or whatever one may technically call interference in civilian governance, must be stopped forthwith.

The ISI is usually tarred and feathered by the western media without verifying facts fed to them by hostile agencies. Increasingly more sophisticated in spreading its message, the media is an invaluable instrument in pursuing the objectives of war during times of peace. Propaganda is meant to achieve during peace what is impossible to do on the battlefield. The Christian world has many nuclear states, Israel is Jewish and nuclear, India is Hindu (despite its secular credentials) and nuclear. Why are we not offered the same nuclear deal as India, given that we are an energy-deficient country with a large population? Look at the logic and arguments denying Muslim Iran nuclear potential. The same arguments could hold good for Pakistan, being the only Muslim state having nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. We could be targeted next.

Emasculating the ISI had relevance only to personal gain, having nothing to do with national interest. This fiasco is a national "wake-up call" to save the country from being sold, literally, at bargain prices to the highest bidder. The small clique running Pakistan today on behalf of the PPP and its coalition partners could have taken this calculated risk of reining in the ISI for even commercial reasons. Considered to be the largest known reserves in the world, Thar's coal deposits could fulfil Pakistan's energy needs for years to come. A government delegation travelled a few weeks ago to Mumbai to get leading Indian industrial giants in energy involved in exploiting our coal reserves (there was also discussion about the sensitive telecommunication sector). The ISI must have reported adversely against pursuing any joint venture with India in this sensitive border area, and in the vital energy sector.

Trade with India is a must but on an equitable and reciprocal basis. One questions the motivation for the generosity in the recently announced one-sided India-centric trade policy. Can this large-heartedness account for why India has opened consulates in Afghanistan on our troubled western borders except to add fuel to the fire by funding and arming terrorists? And that innocent Pakistanis are dying all over the country as a result. Partially diverting strategic reserves from our eastern borders, is it a coincidence that suddenly the LoC is coming alive?

The first civilian coup was getting Benazir Bhutto's will accepted wherein Asif Zardari and his unelected associates took control over a great national political party and seemingly turned it into a private fiefdom. A hundred days later, the next civilian coup succeeded in duping Mian Nawaz Sharif in entering into an agreement that the government had no intention of honouring. The Grand Slam of civilian coups (coincidentally after another 100 days) was designed for total control.

There would have been turmoil within the ranks if the govt had not smartly retracted from its unambiguous notification. This is a wake-up call not only for the citizens of this country but for those in uniform. This should be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. The nature of his job imposes upon the army chief an unenviable responsibility, that his presence is for the good of Pakistan.

Pervez Musharraf may be vilified for any number of reasons but no one can question his patriotism. For the sake of Pakistan one appeals to the president to correct two major blunders immediately. He should repeal the National Reconciliation Ordinance and withdraw the decision to impose a provisional constitution order on Nov 3, 2007. As for Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan and the lawyers' community, for the sake of this country they must reciprocate by not going the route of vengeance and adjust to living with the president and those judges who took oath on the PCO. This holds true for the only nationally-electable leader left, Mian Nawaz Sharif. Whenever nations are in crisis, leaders are expected to rise above their individual agendas to secure the country's sovereignty and integrity.


A failed civilian coup

 

[muse]

Pervez Musharraf may be vilified for any number of reasons but no one can question his patriotism. For the sake of Pakistan one appeals to the president to correct two major blunders immediately. He should repeal the National Reconciliation Ordinance and withdraw the decision to impose a provisional constitution order on Nov 3, 2007. As for Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Senator Aitzaz Ahsan and the lawyers' community, for the sake of this country they must reciprocate by not going the route of vengeance and adjust to living with the president and those judges who took oath on the PCO. This holds true for the only nationally-electable leader left, Mian Nawaz Sharif. Whenever nations are in crisis, leaders are expected to rise above their individual agendas to secure the country's sovereignty and integrity.

Those who preach "democracy" may at least practice it themselves - is that unfair or too much to ask?

 

[Spring Onion]

Those who preach "democracy" may at least practice it themselves - is that unfair or too much to ask?

well dear muse any item from Daily times you can understand the Indians' happiness over it and furthermore somthing said by "Talat Masood"
The toooooooooo old man who is one of the "ex-servicemen group" who carries a political agenda against Musharraf, well one can well understand the biasness.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

All in all, there seems to be consensus within Pakistani intelligentsia and analysts that the decision to put the IS under the Interior Ministry was a flawed one on several levels.

Not only was it taken without consultations with parliament, the ruling coalitions cabinet, political allies (no one apparently except for three individuals), it made absolutely no sense from an operational point of view.

Nor did the rationalization of 'civilian control' make sense, the ISI already under the elected, civilian Prime Minister, and the move placing it under the control of an unelected lackey of an unelected Feudal.

As the author states:

"This is another classic case which illustrates that Pakistan’s decision making process about major national issues is extremely flawed. In fact it lacks the structural and procedural ingredients necessary for arriving at rational decisions that have wide acceptability, are truly in the national interest and are enduring."

The end of decision making from Zardari House should be the first and foremost step in changing this flaw.

 

[fatman17]

well dear muse any item from Daily times you can understand the Indians' happiness over it and furthermore somthing said by "Talat Masood"
The toooooooooo old man who is one of the "ex-servicemen group" who carries a political agenda against Musharraf, well one can well understand the biasness.

Dear Jana,

I dont think the too old man has said anything "wrong" or "treasonable". as far as our indian friends go, they will always snigger at our follies.

 

[fatman17]

quote "nationally electable leader" un-quote.

please spare me this pain and humiliation1

 

[nitesh]

Dear Jana,

I dont think the too old man has said anything "wrong" or "treasonable". as far as our indian friends go, they will always snigger at our follies.

Isn't it is the same for other side also sir?

 

[fatman17]

Isn't it is the same for other side also sir?

true! but these days no one can beat us!

 

[nitesh]

true! but these days no one can beat us!

There is nobody needed from outside to beat you sir.

 

[Spring Onion]

Dear Jana,

I dont think the too old man has said anything "wrong" or "treasonable".

Sir he failed to balancecd his views. He failed to mentioned that Zardari and CO was not entitled to get an important decision imposed and implemented without concensus and without debating in the parliament.

He failed to mentioned that Rehman Malik and Zardari are unelected people who have no right to impose silly things overnight before the visit of PM to US.

He also failed to accept that it was Zardari and Rehman Malik who wanted to bypass Prime Minister and they are the ones who wanted to impose this silly decision just to fulfilled the agenda of outsiders.

The old man is one of them who are blind with hatered towards Musharraf.

Its a silly thing that one should go on accepting things disasterouse for the country just beacuse he hates Musharraf

 

[fatman17]

There is nobody needed from outside to beat you sir.

oh no my friend, the outside is doing its best!

 

[blain2]

I hope this move by Zardari has earned him the enmity of the security establishment. I have always doubted his ability to lead the country with such a corrupt background. If there is a coupe against Zardari (which I believe there should be by getting Amin Fahim and the real PPP on board with the backing of PML-Q and others who matter), it would be a good thing for Pakistan. I doubt anybody would shed any tears over his departure.

Interceptor, What say you my friend about this proposal?

 

[fatman17]

I hope this move by Zardari has earned him the enmity of the security establishment. I have always doubted his ability to lead the country with such a corrupt background. If there is a coupe against Zardari (which I believe there should be by getting Amin Fahim and the real PPP on board with the backing of PML-Q and others who matter), it would be a good thing for Pakistan. I doubt anybody would shed any tears over his departure.

Interceptor, What say you my friend about this proposal?

the current coalition is stuck between a rock and a hard place. no decisions are being made by the patliament. Mr, Zardari decides (on recommendations of Mr, Rehman Malik) and the rubber-stamp PM and his cabinet approves. how long are we going to witness this "Tamasha".