Birth of ISI's political cell still a mystery

The establishment of the much dreaded political cell in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is still shrouded in mystery, as the Supreme Court was informed that the notification concerning its birth is yet to be found.

The establishment of the much dreaded political cell in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is still shrouded in mystery, as the Supreme Court was informed that the notification concerning its birth is yet to be found.

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Attorney general Irfan Qadir said that despite efforts, he could not find the notification issued by then chief executive Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1975 to set up a special political cell in the ISI.

A three-judge bench, headed by chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, is hearing a 1996 petition filed by Tehrik-i-Istiqlal chief Air Marshal (retired) Asghar Khan who has accused the ISI of financing politicians in the 1990 elections to the tune of Rs. 140 million to prevent Benazir Bhutto's PPP from winning.