Spy Chronicles: Raw, ISI and Illusion of Peace




Pakistan’s army has ordered an inquiry into a former spy chief for co-writing a book with the ex-chief of an intelligence agency from arch-rival India that has stirred controversy on a range of issues.

With the election fast approaching, it is not business as usual in Pakistan’s electoral politics. Contrary to expectations it is not because for the second time in its history an elected government is passing on the baton to another. Unexpectedly the most stable mainstay of Pakistan’s real politic, the military, is for once not in the polity’s good books.

In a tale of many firsts for the boys, the list of charges against the military is rapidly getting longer. It has been targeted by Pahtun Tahafuz Movement for killing and abduction of Pashtun population. It has been blamed for running a vicious campaign against the three time elected - and as many times ousted - former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.


The latest dagger in its side however has been thrust from within the ranks. Spy Chronicles: Raw, ISI and Illusion of Peace, a book co-authored by the former Chiefs of premier intelligence agencies of Pakistan and India is stirring equal measure of controversy both home and abroad. So much so that General Asad Durrani (the former ISI head) has been barred from leaving the country.  The book is a discussion between Durrani and former RAW chief Amarjit Singh Dulat and moderated by journalist Aditya Sinha.

The media wing of Pakistans powerful military issued a statement saying, that attributions in the book have been taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel. The official twitter account of ISPR said,’’ A formal Court of Inquiry headed by a serving Lt Gen has been ordered to probe the matter in detail. Competent authority approached to place his name on ECL.’’

So what is it that has pushed military to taken this action? It could primarily be his statements on Osama Bin Laden, the deceased and former head of Al-Qaeda. “At some point the ISI probably learnt about Osama bin Laden and he was handed over to the United States according to a mutually agreed process,” says Durrani in his book. This is contrary to official stance of Pakistan which stresses that it had no idea about the where about of the worlds most wanted terrorist at that time and it only came to know about it when the US navy seals had taken him on 2nd May 2011. On his statements on OBL operation Durrani told me,’’ I gave my assessment, which could be wrong. In any case critical decisions are not taken to “build images.”

Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency ISI, has over the years developed a reputation for extending its jurisdiction beyond the constitutional parameters. It is often blamed for instigating and supporting Kashmir insurgency in Indian controlled Kashmir. On Kashmir A.S Daulat the former RAW chief and Durrani have detailed discussion in the book and a significant part of the book is dedicated to it. Durrani says that India wants to stick to the policy of maintaining the ‘Status quo’as it is favorable for India. In his book he says,’’ Conflict is manageable, there will be occasional firing across the border, and people may die. But the price of peace may entail accepting the old division of Kashmir or arrangement with Pakistan, changing the former Indus Water Treaty, etc. That might trigger other dynamics.’’ Durrani tells me,’’Status Quo is not static. If the current uprising is contained, the status quo at another level may be India’s preferred option.’’ Durrani believes that now the establishments of both the countries should be given a chance to take on the negotiation process.

Durrani also criticises the lack of cooperation between institutes in Pakistan. In the book he says, ‘’If in India you are working together, you are one step ahead of us. We hardly see any cooperation between our agencies. In Pakistan, cooperation between government departments, civil-military, and generally is far from desirable. It may be because of our history.’’ Durrani criticizes former military dictator Musharraf and holds him responsible for a ‘failed Kargil Operation’. Durrani tells me, ‘’Both Nawaz Sharif and Musharraf take their part of responsibility.’’ Durrani also believes that the ‘Lal Masjid Operation’ carried out by Musharraf was a disaster and resulted in more suicide bombings.

Durrani seemed obviously unhappy with politicians in Pakistan. He tells me,’’That’s the struggle: improve the political system to get the right type of people in.’’

Lastly, reacting on the criticism he has received on his book he says,’’I do not have to respond to any criticism. I have co-authored it. If a civilian were to write a similar book—and was “frowned upon”—it would be up to him to react.’’


The article was originally produced for DW Urdu http://p.dw.com/p/2yX7s


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