Pakistan Closes ISI Political Wing

Pakistan closes ISI political wing

http://www.sindhtoday.net/pakistan/39530.htm

Islamabad, Nov 27 (IANS) Pakistan has closed the political wing of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Online news agency reported Thursday.

“The political wing of ISI has been closed,” a statement issued by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s office said late Wednesday night.

The prime minister hoped the move “would further improve the effectiveness of ISI as one of the premier institutions of the national security apparatus of the country”, said the statement.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Sunday confirmed media reports that the political wing of the ISI had been disbanded, describing it as a positive development.

A number of retired ISI officials have admitted in recent media interviews that the agency had a role in influencing several elections in recent years, Online said.