News Roundup | Pakistan

From PCR consultant Mehlaqa Samdani: Prime Minister Gilani will begin his three-day visit to the United States amid embarrassing and dramatic policy reversals back home.  In an unprecedented move over the weekend, a directive issued by the PM placed the country’s two leading intelligence agencies, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the control of the interior ministry headed by the enigmatic Rehman Malik.  This move sent ripples throughout the country’s political and military circles and within hours of being issued the directive was retracted and the decision, particularly in reference to the all-powerful ISI, reversed.    In theory, the ISI and IB are supposed to be under the purview of the prime minister, while the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is answerable to the Ministry of Interior.   In practice, the ISI reports to the Chief of the Army Staff as traditionally it is the COAS who selects the director-general of the ISI.  In some instances when civilian governments have tried to assert greater control over the ISI, they have met with resistance and plots hatched within the agency to remove them from power.  Saturday’s decision would have placed all three agencies under the administrative, financial and operational control of the interior ministry giving the latter tremendous access and discretion.   Speculation abounds as to what could have caused Gilani to issue the order and circumstances that led to its reversal.   Some analysts believe the decision was made ahead of Gilani’s visit to the U.S. to placate concerns within U.S. policy circles regarding the ISI’s alleged involvement with the Taliban and Al-Qaida.  The Pakistani prime minister could point to the reshuffle and assert that greater scrutiny of the ISI would now be conducted under the direct gaze of the interior ministry.    The move would also be hailed as a step to ensure greater coordination between the military and civilian government on the war on terror.    Even as Interior Advisor, Rehman Malik assured the media that all stakeholders had been consulted before the notification, the president, spokesperson for the military and (some) coalition partners expressed ignorance of the decision.    It is reported that some within the military issued threats of a coup against the Gilani government if the decision was not retracted.   This comes at a time when rumors already circulate about Pakistan’s intelligence agencies colluding to overthrow the PPP government to make room for the much favored Nawaz Sharif.    Initially experts around Pakistan welcomed this move as greater assertion of civilian control over the military.  However, within hours of being issued the notification was replaced with another order stating that the ISI will continue to remain under the control of the prime minister.   It seems for now the military remains on top.