As we had reported last week, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the Chief of Army Staff, is looking to replace the present Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI), Maj. Gen. Nadeem Ejaz. Our sources now expect to see a new DGMI in place towards the end of this month. Potential candidates for the job post include (but are not limited to):
- Maj. Gen. Muhammad Asif - Formerly Pakistan’s Defense Attache in Moscow
- Maj. Gen. Javed Iqbal - Presently posted in Bahawalpur
- Maj. Gen. Raheel Sharif - Formerly General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lahore; presently posted in Lahore
Kayani intends to curtail the powers of the DGMI with the hope that the next general to occupy the position will focus on what his title implies — military intelligence. This should bode well for the progress of the war on terror and settling the unrest in Pakistan’s northwest.
FOOTNOTES:
- President Pervez Musharraf had an op-ed published in the Washington Post on February 22nd. Individuals familiar with the op-ed report that it had initially been submitted to the New York Times for publication but was rejected by paper. The Washington Post was the President’s second choice.
- The News International reported that the former head of the ISI’s political cell, Maj. Gen. (retd.) Ehtesham Zamir, acknowledged his role in rigging the 2002 elections that brought Musharraf’s civilian allies to power. Zamir claims that the orders to rig the election came from Musharraf himself. The timing of the announcement places further pressure on an already beseiged Musharraf who now faces an empowered opposition after last week’s parliamentary elections. Interestingly enough, sources close to Zamir report that he is a very close friend of Aitzaz Ahsan. Coincidence? I think not.
(Editor’s Note: We’ve received numerous requests for an analysis on the post-election scenario; we hope to have one up for Insider Brief readers by the end of this week.)
22 responses so far ↓
1 khalid // Feb 25, 2008 at 4:01 am
Musharraf has done so much for Pakistan which had not been done in the past. Let’s show some gratitude for his honest and hard work.
Thanks for the link to the article. To me it does not matter if NYT was his first or last choice, I got to read the article.
2 Shaan // Feb 25, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I completely agree. People don’t give Musharraf the credit he deserves.
3 noman habib // Feb 26, 2008 at 6:48 am
President of Pakistan writing for some XYZ post in USA ? Sorry but why he chose to reduce himself to a level of news reporter?It is conduct prejudiced to behaviour/dignity from presidential office.It should have been written from Rashid qureshi or someone else.Complete disregard of Protocol for self projection by person who has held presidetial office for 8 years is unforutnate
4 Farrukh Khan Pitafi // Feb 26, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Maj. Gen. Raheel Sharif - Presently General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lahore ? Pardon my ignorance but I thought the post was held by Maj Shaukat Sultan
5 Farrukh Khan Pitafi // Feb 26, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Sorry Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan
6 Shaan Akbar // Feb 27, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Farrukh,
You’re right, I mistyped. Gen. Sharif was formerly GOC Lahore though I believe he is presently posted there.
Thanks for pointing it out.
- Shaan
7 noman habib // Feb 28, 2008 at 2:45 am
musharaf has contributed positively on cirtain occasions and now Pakistan is not worried about US offensive on Pakistan.he has gained time and utilized it positively but in the process made whole Pakistan his oponent and most of west his enemy though disguised as friends.His doctrine was flawed but for sometime that was the only option.He should better walk out and stage a comeback Through MQM after two years instead of putting himself in the long line of Raza shah.marcos and so many others.He should try to be a politician and quit instead of hanging with power like a dictator
8 Haris Zuberi // Mar 1, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Maj Gen Raheel Sharif (younger brother of Maj Shabbir Sharif Shaheed NH) is Commander XI Infantry Division, LHR.
9 Rafaqat Ullah // Mar 4, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Shaan,
I am very much looking forward to your analysis of current day politics. I hope it comes soon. Can you please also shed some light on Musharraf’s upcoming challenges i.e possible impeachment and his options ?
Much Appreciated.
Rafaqat
10 imran tahir // Mar 7, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Rafaqat shahib i think nothing is clear so far looks inner power strugle inside ppp between amin fahim and zardari .
11 imran tahir // Mar 8, 2008 at 4:33 pm
so shaan whats new tit bit waiting eagerly about your comment. thanks
12 khalid // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:09 pm
when are you going to post a new editorial? i check your site daily….
13 Abdul khaliq // Mar 12, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Events are moving little too fast and shan seems unable to catch up.Murre accord is just too ambitious and miracle will be required to make it work but realy is Musharaf that much necessary for Pakistan
14 imran tahir // Mar 12, 2008 at 10:15 pm
shaan what about new government goining to form between pml n and ppp what u take on future on pervez mush whats your thoughts on this. regards
15 imran tahir // Mar 18, 2008 at 7:17 pm
shaan r u there ?
16 noman habib // Mar 23, 2008 at 9:31 am
hello!
everything alright
17 Shaan Akbar // Mar 25, 2008 at 1:02 am
All,
Sorry for the long absence, I’ve been busy and the situation in Pakistan has been incredibly fluid. By the time I had anything substantive worth posting, it would get turned on its head by the quick moving events in Pakistan.
Still, the problems that afflict Pakistan haven’t changed. I’ve got some good ideas for some new posts and will probably be writing something to address the recent Army reshuffle. Keep an eye out.
Most importantly, thanks for your loyal readership.
Regards,
Shaan
18 imran tahir // Mar 25, 2008 at 5:44 pm
shaan thanks u rite about situation in pakistan amazing.
19 imran tahir // Mar 26, 2008 at 7:21 pm
shaan what abou two US high level diplomates visits to pakistan any substantive about it.thanks
20 imran tahir // Mar 31, 2008 at 8:01 pm
shaan what i see this govt only run if pml n sit in opposition otherwise it gonna be brawl like 90s.
21 noman habib // Apr 2, 2008 at 6:57 am
Nadeem Ejaz is still hanging on and was acompnying Kiyani when he met with Musharaf on 2nd april 2008.
There may be some idea of counter coup by Musharaf to replace kiyyani by blessing from somewhere for not interfering in political matters in support of president.
It will be a dangerous game and probabaly fire back.
22 Aamir Ali // Apr 7, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I think its safe to assume that you are not interested in your blog anymore. oh well it was good while it lasted !
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