Kayani gives 1-yr extension to ISI chief

ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha has been granted an year's extension of service by Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani citing his key role in the 'war against terror'.

ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha has been granted an year's extension of service by Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani citing his key role in the 'war against terror'.

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Kayani issued a notification granting 58-year-old Pasha an extension in service yesterday, which was approved by
Prime Minister Yousf Raza Gilani on Wednesday.

A brief statement issued by the Prime Minister's House said Gilani had approved the summary or official proposal for
extending the service of the ISI chief.

Gilani had "appointed Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha as Director General of ISI for another year with effect from the
date of his retirement", the statement said.

However, sources told PTI that the Prime Minister's action was merely a formality as the powerful army chief had
already granted an extension to Pasha on Tuesday.

During a recent interaction with senior Pakistani journalists, Kayani had even said that he could grant such an
extension without referring the matter to the Prime Minister or the government.

Media reports quoted military sources as confirming that Kayani had given the ISI chief a one-year extension ahead
of his retirement on March 18.

Senior officials also told the media that after extending Pash's service, Kayani informed the Prime Minister
"that he wants Lt Gen Pasha to continue as the Director General of ISI".