Sharif opposes Gen. Pasha’s extension

Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif has opposed a possible extension in service to director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha. Already on a year-long extension given in March last year, General Pasha’s second ‘tenure’ is supposed to come to an end on March 18. However, sources in the government say he is likely to get another two years in office as the country faces serious internal and external security challenges. The decision is likely to be announced before March 18. Sharif who was visiting the family of a slain army officer Colonel Sheraz, told journalists he would oppose the move. He advised the generals to stay away from politics. Stature of the armed forces would increase if it limits itself to defending the borders of the country, he added. Another PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan listed several reasons why Gen. Pasha should not be given extension. He counted failure of the ISI in the May 2 US operation in Abbottabad last year that killed Osama bin Ladin, the Mumbai carnage in November 2008, the Nato attacks on Pakistani posts last year and the Raymond Davis affair. He said Gen. Pasha has played his innings and should now live a retired life.