Ejecting Ejaz’s Men
This past week saw a shakeup in Pakistan’s regional Military Intelligence (MI) organization with the naming of new MI chiefs for Punjab and Sindh. Brigadier Zaheer, Punjab’s commander, was replaced by Brig. Mumtaz Iqbal while Brig. Masood, Sindh’s commander, was replaced by Brig. Azam Tiwana.
The replaced brigadiers were removed from their posts prematurely; Zaheer was due to retire in July with Masood due to retire in September. Sources indicate that both men were close associates of the recenty replaced and highly disliked, Major General Nadeem Ejaz, former Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI). Made with Gen. Ashfaq Kayani’s approval, the removal of Nadeem Ejaz’s associates represents a continued decline in influence for President Pervez Musharraf within the military. As DGMI, Ejaz was instrumental in many of Musharraf’s policy decisions and was a close advisor.
What may be of greater interest is the man whom Brig. Tiwana is replacing, Brig. Masood, is said by sources to have had excellent ties with the MQM and PPP. If true, it highlights the continued drive by Gen. Kayani to disentangle the Pakistan Army and its intelligence apparatus from politics after over 60 years of national involvement. After all, cordial relations with political parties should have no bearing on the selection of a regional MI commander.
Intel Validation
At the end of February, we reported that Gen. Kayani was looking to replace the then-DGMI, Maj. Gen. Nadeem Ejaz. We listed several candidates, one of whom was Major General Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s former defense attache to Moscow. On April 4th, The News International reported that Maj. Gen. Asif was appointed DGMI.
Editor’s Note: For those of you wondering — I’m back.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Teeth Maestro // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:29 am
welcome back – missed ‘ya
heck the juicy investigative reports have returned with splendor – thanks
2 Waqas // Apr 30, 2008 at 8:50 am
Shaan Akbar,
I agree with you for the first two paragraphs in general but to be specific, Brigadier Azam Tiwana was not the MI Commander in Multan, infact there is no MI Brigadier in Multan, there is only one in complete Punjab and that was Brigadier Zaheer till the recent change.
Further, I would strongly contradict with you saying that Brigadier Azam is believed to have strong ties with MQM and PPP. This is a complete misreporting, and infact a misjudgement by you on the plea that he is being posted to Sindh so he must be having close ties with MQM and PPP or because of any such reason.
He personally and his appointment has nothing to do with him being associated to MQM or PPP, but there are other factors, which I shall not like to disclose here. And please note that he is from the Tiwana family, predominantly based and settled in Punjab.
3 Waqas Tiwana // May 1, 2008 at 10:47 am
The part about him being multan is mentioned here because this has been quoted at other blogs and some of them, link it up to this post. However, that is no more there… but still..
4 noman habib // May 2, 2008 at 8:11 am
Slowwly but surely Musharaf seems to be losing grip.All he retains now NCA and ISI.He is likely to hold NCA but IsI might slip out of hand soon.
2.Kiyani need to work more operational effectivelness of MI and do away with political cell if at all it is there or at least not use it to any advantage.
3.The external threats are to be known first than what zardari ate at the dinner.The sound policy research and analysis will lead the politicians on right course and not coercion.
4.The outside agencies need to be countered outside of Pakistan.
5.Last but not the least welcome back
5 imran tahir // May 2, 2008 at 5:26 pm
shaan what u say about these justices and nwaz zardari allince
6 imran tahir // May 2, 2008 at 5:26 pm
by the way welcome back r u gone back home ?
7 Abdul khaliq // May 3, 2008 at 10:05 am
1.I don,t think it indicates any rift between kiyani and Musharaf rather it is general modu oprendi in Army.Interference in commanders
domain is not done in usual circumstances.
2.The role is well split Musharaf looks after stretegic affairs and kiyani the tactical implications.
3.The stregic affairs decisions has to be done through parliament aproval.
4.All what kiyani seems to be doing is to help the institutions work and avoid collision on one hand and keeeping army out of politics on the other.
5.If kiyyani manages to steer out the Nation and Army by generating collective effort by all I Will
Rate him third best after QAID and ZA BHUTTO
8 Shaan Akbar // May 4, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Waqas,
Thanks for your comment. I admittedly misreported what my source had told me. I’ve since then edited the post. Brig. Masood, not Brig. Tiwana, had close ties with the PPP and MQM.
Best,
Shaan
9 Waqas // May 5, 2008 at 5:25 am
Thanks Alot !!!
10 Ahsan Iqbal // Jun 1, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I know i have been meetin Brig Masood for a long time noe he is an MQM guy and in experienced and immature surely army put in the wrong guy for the right job he has earned a lot there and is still thriving under the umbrella of MQM
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