ISI harassing witnesses

[niazifighter]

ISI accused of manipulating Osama probe
By Malik Ayub Sumbal

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's top spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been accused of harassing witnesses appearing at the country's investigation into the United States military raid that last year killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Witnesses at the Abbottabad Commission have come forward to say that the ISI would has been
picking them up while traveling to and leaving the probe, often "briefing" them on what to say and grilling them afterwards on the proceedings.

Abbottabad Commission Head Justice Javed Iqbal has expressed anger at the alleged interference, describing it as meddling and establishing a committee of military officials to investigate the
apparent harassment.

The matter first came to light when a witness from the neighborhood of Bin Laden's complex in
Abbottabad was late for giving testimony. When the court demanded an explanation, he said that on his way to Islamabad, some ISI personnel stopped him and told him what to tell the commission.

Several other witnesses have now also alleged they were harassed by the ISI, both before and
after recording their statements. The witnesses say while they wished to remain impartial in their
statements, they also feared ISI reprisals.

Established on May 30, 2011 - just 28 days after the US raid - the Abbottabad Commission has
quizzed hundreds of people on the events leading up to the operation, including civil and military
officials. It is now compiling its final report

However, the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, had
voiced serious misgivings about the commission's mandate, saying it was just formed to please
the government and will produce no important findings.

In Pakistan's recent history, there have been numerous such commissions formed to investigate
different incidents, but they rarely produce conclusive results.

A commission was formed to investigate the murder in March 2011 of Asia Times Online's Pakistan Bureau Chief Syed Saleem Shahzad, but it has so far produced no results, with no findings being
made public.

A similar inquiry was formed in August 2011 to probe allegations that law enforcement authorities were involved in enforced disappearances in Balochistan. While the Supreme Court decreed in July that the disappearances should immediately stop and action taken against the culprits, there has been no evidence of this being implemented.

Critics say the Abbottabad Commission is equally unlikely to make major progress on the Bin Laden case.

A broader question raised by the ISI's alleged grilling of witnesses, is why the intelligence agency was seemingly so concerned with influencing its outcome.

There have been numerous reports since 9/11 claiming that the ISI helped hide Bin Laden, who
was for over a decade the world's most wanted man. This was why the US special forces raid was launched without consulting Islamabad.

The complex where Bin Laden was found was located in close proximity to the Pakistan Military
Academy, suggesting he was benefiting from close contacts with members of the army intelligence

The ISI's international image has plummeted in recent months over the Bin Laden affair and its
alleged links with the Afghan Taliban. By "briefing" witnesses in the Abbottabad Commission, the
ISI likely sought to avoid the investigation implicating it in way - however an unlikely outcome
that may be.

Malik Ayub Sumbal is an investigative journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan.​

 

[TexasJohn]

I don't doubt for one minute that ISI would like the facts to stay cloudy. They have too much to lose

 

[Last Hope]

The civilian courts and committees have an eye on ISI and warned them not to interfere in this case. In the initial days an ISI agent was caught monitoring the work being done and since latter on ISI kept away from the case.

Not saying that they have completely stopped gathering data on the study, but they would not do such an act which would make them accountable and vulnerable to attacks by courts and committees. This is poor journalism spreading false propaganda in my opinion. For ISI critics, here is a thread you should visit: http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakistan-army/201923-isi-big-failure.html

And please post the source.

 

[Roybot]

Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan

 

[niazifighter]

The civilian courts and committees have an eye on ISI and warned them not to interfere in this case. In the initial days an ISI agent was caught monitoring the work being done and since latter on ISI kept away from the case.

Not saying that they have completely stopped gathering data on the study, but they would not do such an act which would make them accountable and vulnerable to attacks by courts and committees. This is poor journalism spreading false propaganda in my opinion. For ISI critics, here is a thread you should visit: http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakistan-army/201923-isi-big-failure.html

And please post the source.

i doubt your memory isi always do such acts which make it vulnerable to attack but knows very well that nothing what so ever can make him accountable so your argument doesn't stand good
as for your story of "initial days" I can't comment on it as i know nothing please post a credible information because this report is speaking of isi clearly involved in case

 

[xyxmt]

Good job ISI, keep doing what you doing in the interest of this country, dont listen to traitors and corrupt politician/commissions. these corrupts will sit on their fat ***** in their air conditioned rooms where they get 24/7 electric power while you (ISI) put you life on the line for this country. I salute your courage