Big Tank
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A chapter of Brig (R) Syed A I Tirmizi’s (SIM) book Profiles of Intelligence — ‘The President’s ADC’ — is under discussion in the bureaucratic and political circles these days in the aftermath of some recent key developments in Islamabad regarding high profile appointments.
Brig (R) Syed A I Tirmizi, who had been posted in “DGI” and afterwards remained number two in ISI wrote and got published the book “Profiles of Intelligence in 1997”. This correspondent found most bureaucrats and political elite in Lahore reading “The President’s ADC” with keen interest keeping in view the significant developments in Islamabad.
The five-page photocopies of The President’s ADC can be seen in the drawer or table of every senior bureaucrat and politicians while there are many who have purchased the book as well.
According to the text of “The President’s ADC”, “One very capable and smart ADC to the President, Gen Zia-ul-Haq, went a little astray and was tempted to earn a few extra bucks which, according to his perception, was perfectly legal and in order.”
Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi was the Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis in Gen Zia’s cabinet. It was in his jurisdiction to allot quotas to hundreds of recruiting agencies which had mushroomed during those days, to send Pakistani labour abroad.
That ADC to the President asked Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi if he could also get quota of just 20 men per month. Begum Sahiba (Shafiqa Jahan Zia) being kind lady, as she always has been, also personally rang up Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi and recommended the case of the ADC.
There was never any question of Ch Zahoor Elahi refusing the ADC or Begum Sahiba. Consequently, the ADC started to get his quota of 20 vacancies per month. He would personally handle this business and would charge Rs 14,000 per man. The job seekers started to visit him from the backdoor of the Presidency and the passports started to pile up on his desk. Gen
Muhammad Riaz Khan was the DGI then. A report was prepared and given to him. It was recommended that the report be sent to the President as ‘Eyes only’.
“Is the report hundred per cent correct”? Asked General Riaz. “Sir, it has been personally rechecked by me and it is correct,” I replied.
“Who is the witness?” “The President can check the table drawers of his ADC or ask the Begum Sahiba”.
During his next visit to the President, the DGI took the file and gave it to the President. When the DGI came back I inquired if there was any reaction from the president? He said, “No, the president went through the paper and kept it on his table without any comments”?
A month passed and there was no response. One day, I reminded the DGI and said, “The ADC’s recruiting business is flourishing and he has become quite a popular figure. Reportedly, his initial quota of 20 has been increased by the minister and the ADC is also likely to raise the fee”.
The DGI said, “We are only a reporting agency and not the executive authority. We have done our job. Now it is up to the president to take any action or not. Let’s forget about it”.
I said, “Sir, with due apologies, I feel our job is not done yet. The ADC can become a serious security risk. If the enemy comes to know of his activities and his lust for money, which our ever-vigilant enemy must have certainly come to know by now, they would surely make a bid to purchase his loyalties. The ADC can be lured into selling state secrets that pass through his hand or even could be tempted to sell the president. I consider it a serious security hazard and you better apprise the president of our concern. If indulging in private business, while in service, was not a cognizable offence in the president’s views, we do not insist on any disciplinary action against the ADC, but he must be removed from his present appointment”.
The DGI listened to my views with patience and said, “I agree with you”. I am sure the DGI must have conveyed our concern to the president. A few days later we read an order issued by the Establishment Division, “Major X...... has been transferred to District Management Group and posted as Deputy Commissioner........with immediate effect. We wish him well where ever he is.”
My contentions in such cases and the necessity to have a system of keeping an eye on the personnel working on sensitive appointments are borne out of experience and observations. We ought to develop ‘Defensive Sources Programme’ on the lines of CIA. Following instance may be enough to vindicate my stances.
This is the concluding point of the chapter of Brig (R) Syed A I Tirmizis’ book “Profiles of Intelligence”.
Brig (R) Syed A I Tirmizi, who had been posted in “DGI” and afterwards remained number two in ISI wrote and got published the book “Profiles of Intelligence in 1997”. This correspondent found most bureaucrats and political elite in Lahore reading “The President’s ADC” with keen interest keeping in view the significant developments in Islamabad.
The five-page photocopies of The President’s ADC can be seen in the drawer or table of every senior bureaucrat and politicians while there are many who have purchased the book as well.
According to the text of “The President’s ADC”, “One very capable and smart ADC to the President, Gen Zia-ul-Haq, went a little astray and was tempted to earn a few extra bucks which, according to his perception, was perfectly legal and in order.”
Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi was the Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis in Gen Zia’s cabinet. It was in his jurisdiction to allot quotas to hundreds of recruiting agencies which had mushroomed during those days, to send Pakistani labour abroad.
That ADC to the President asked Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi if he could also get quota of just 20 men per month. Begum Sahiba (Shafiqa Jahan Zia) being kind lady, as she always has been, also personally rang up Chaudhary Zahoor Elahi and recommended the case of the ADC.
There was never any question of Ch Zahoor Elahi refusing the ADC or Begum Sahiba. Consequently, the ADC started to get his quota of 20 vacancies per month. He would personally handle this business and would charge Rs 14,000 per man. The job seekers started to visit him from the backdoor of the Presidency and the passports started to pile up on his desk. Gen
Muhammad Riaz Khan was the DGI then. A report was prepared and given to him. It was recommended that the report be sent to the President as ‘Eyes only’.
“Is the report hundred per cent correct”? Asked General Riaz. “Sir, it has been personally rechecked by me and it is correct,” I replied.
“Who is the witness?” “The President can check the table drawers of his ADC or ask the Begum Sahiba”.
During his next visit to the President, the DGI took the file and gave it to the President. When the DGI came back I inquired if there was any reaction from the president? He said, “No, the president went through the paper and kept it on his table without any comments”?
A month passed and there was no response. One day, I reminded the DGI and said, “The ADC’s recruiting business is flourishing and he has become quite a popular figure. Reportedly, his initial quota of 20 has been increased by the minister and the ADC is also likely to raise the fee”.
The DGI said, “We are only a reporting agency and not the executive authority. We have done our job. Now it is up to the president to take any action or not. Let’s forget about it”.
I said, “Sir, with due apologies, I feel our job is not done yet. The ADC can become a serious security risk. If the enemy comes to know of his activities and his lust for money, which our ever-vigilant enemy must have certainly come to know by now, they would surely make a bid to purchase his loyalties. The ADC can be lured into selling state secrets that pass through his hand or even could be tempted to sell the president. I consider it a serious security hazard and you better apprise the president of our concern. If indulging in private business, while in service, was not a cognizable offence in the president’s views, we do not insist on any disciplinary action against the ADC, but he must be removed from his present appointment”.
The DGI listened to my views with patience and said, “I agree with you”. I am sure the DGI must have conveyed our concern to the president. A few days later we read an order issued by the Establishment Division, “Major X...... has been transferred to District Management Group and posted as Deputy Commissioner........with immediate effect. We wish him well where ever he is.”
My contentions in such cases and the necessity to have a system of keeping an eye on the personnel working on sensitive appointments are borne out of experience and observations. We ought to develop ‘Defensive Sources Programme’ on the lines of CIA. Following instance may be enough to vindicate my stances.
This is the concluding point of the chapter of Brig (R) Syed A I Tirmizis’ book “Profiles of Intelligence”.
