A lot has been written about the rise of the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligent agency, as a quisling factor in the pacification of the Afghanistan-Paksitan region and the war against Al-Qaeda. While ISI has been pivotal in providing important linkages to the Taliban insurgency, first in the build-up of the militant group during the Soviet occupation and after in the fight to liberate Afghanistan from the stranglehold of their extremist suppression, the US and the West have indicated that they do not trust the agency’s intentions and activities. Evidence exists concerning ISI’s involvement in the terrorist attacks in India and the on-going success of the Taliban and other extremists such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, on exporting terrorism globally. The real tragedy is that the ISI is currently in the process of mounting a coup to grab the reins of power in nuclear Pakistan, under the cover of the continuous political crisis in that country.
The Truth About the ISI and their bid to dominate control over nuclear Pakistan
The prevalent assumption that ISI is controlled by the Pakistan Army or some other unidentified civilian persona within the national Government is absolutely false. The ISI is completely out of control, out of anyone’s control, due primarily to the fact that ISI has become self-financing and has access independently to vast and unlimited sources of financing. How? During the twenty years of the Soviet occupation and subsequently the war on terrorism and extremism, the ISI developed business linkages with the lucrative drug trade that “poppy-lates” a significant portion of rural Afghanistan, cultivating them as a means of financing for arms to strengthen the resistance. Later, as the US and the West chased down Al-Queda in Afghanistan, ISI maintain their linkages with the organized drug networks, ensuring their survival through all the various anti-drug campaigns by the US and the UN. Today, with the withdrawal of US and allied forces looming, Afghanistan is an open field for the increased cultivation of poppies and cannabis. The ISI controls and draws upon a percentage of this drug income for its own continuity and operations; with no dependance upon national Pakistani sources of financing, the ISI has defacto become independent of any national control in Pakistan.
This might not be news to those more brilliant at monitoring Pakistan and its agencies. However, of concern is the fact that the ISI is quietly in the process of mounting of coup d’etat within Pakistan, to take over control of that country. A series of national events starting with the frequent absences of President Zardari, the indictment of the Prime Minister of Pakistan for making a change in his own cabinet by firing a ex-ISI member, and the Pakistan Supreme Court’s verdict to prosecute the Prime Minister for allegations that in past years would not even have been registered in the court’s consideration, are paving the way for a coup to overthrow the Government by ISI. Their objective is to gain control of the county and instal a figurehead military general to defacto lead the “official” takeover of power. ISI would then rule behind the scenes through a overtly military surrogate.
How and why would such a development be of concern in a country that is a failed State and has stumbled through a litany of military coups and undemocratic governments? Pakistan remains the most dangerous nuclear-capable nation in the world. The domination and control of the ISI over the governance of nuclear Pakistan would defacto give control of the country’s nuclear arsenal to terrorist sympathizers who are, in my opinion, terrorists themselves. Iran’s nuclear challenge would pale in comparison to the specter of a renegade Pakistan!
Note: All the info in this post is drawn from open sources and the rest is connecting the dots and analysis!
Categories: Pakistan, US and the West
Tags: control of nuclear facilities in Pakistan, coup in Pakistan, india and pakistan, internal collapse of Pakistan, ISI, isi pakistan, ISI sponsored terrorism, lashkar e taiba, Nuclear Pakistan, Pakistan, pakistan army, soviet occupation, terrorism, terrorism in Pakistan, US Policy in Pakistan
Here in the US, and in most of the G8 countries, and certainly NATO members, we have a problem in that two, or even three generations of people in leadership and management positions, particularly in govt. agencies making decisions about both military and “civilian” activities around the world, grew up with a deficit in two particular areas of education and experience. This is not meant to be a “blanket” criticism but it is something that needs tio be addressed, accepted, and repaired.
There’s been a lot of formal, academic education, but not enough getting into the nitty-gritty of living with, like, and in the real day-to-day environments of people in most of the world – most of Africa, Asia, and also Central/South America. Understanding of the fragmentary, fractional, and trival nature of many “nations” which were created decades ago, by rather arbitrary decrees issued by European (e.g., British in the Middle East and India), leave people in power-wielding positions in countries like the USA with a false sense of nation-states that are not at all like the USA, Canada, or Western Europe. Pakistan is a particular example and along with Afghanistan we see the power of tribal domains and clan rule over areas that on the map look like it’s all one singular nation, but in reality it is many fiefdoms.
My major concern about Pakistan is that there will be a fast-moving fragmentation into regions that will be in flux, and with a free hand and free reign for various competing power groups. One of the serious threats we face is that some power group, even a small band, gets possession and control of fully-assembled, stock-piled nuclear weapons. Then there are many possibilities. The standard use of the weapon is one thing, but disassembly and use of components for a variety of “dirty-bomb devices is another. For a long time I have been more concerned about what can be done with Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal against neighbors or farther-off targets, or used as bargaining chips in a zero-sum game, than I have been worried about N. Korea or Iran. There are simply too many ways to use processed, refined, weapons-grade uranium and plutonium. Moreover, those who could cease such devices will very likely not have good knowledge of how to make use of them, resulting in a situation where a disaster could occur in an incredibly dense population area.
Yet, all we seem to hear about in the media is “Iran, Iran, Iran”. We are playing with matches and not having an understanding that right underneath the “can’t burn, it’s a flame-retardant rug” is a floor soaked through with gasoline.
What i don’t realize is actually how you’re not actually much more well-appreciated than you might be now. You are so intelligent. You already know thus considerably in relation to this subject, made me individually imagine it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested until it is one thing to accomplish with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times take care of it up!
Very well written post. It will be supportive to anybody who employess it, including yours truly
. Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
Real nice layout and good written content , nothing else we require : D.
Hey there! It seems as though we both have a interest for the same thing. Your blog, “Pakistan’s Imminent Internal Collapse: De-facto Coup d’Etat by ISI opinionscan” and mine are very similar. Have you ever thought about writing a guest post for a related website? It will certainly help gain publicity to your blog (my site recieves a lot of traffic). If you’re interested, email me at: Hevessy0vl@gmail.com. Many thanks
Yes I would like to write as a guest on another blog site. Please email me if you want me to do so. zrasul09@gmail.com
You are the top, It is posts like this that maintain me coming back and checking this internet site regularly, thanks for the information!
Hey this is a decent article . Can I use a portion of it on my website ? I would obviously link back to your post so people could view the full article if they wanted to. Thanks either way.
I am no fan of the Taliban or of the ISI, but there seems to be a flaw in this article. Under Taliban rule, poppy cultivation was actually banned. It has since resumed since the Taliban have been ousted from power. A Taliban ruled Afghanistan would actually deny the ISI a source of drug revenue wouldnt it?
Dear Ash,
True about the Taliban decreasing drug production during their time in government, and I agree that drug production seems to be a function of the mafias that support Karzai and provincial governors to stay in power. Drug revenue is a vital resource for these leaders to continue the system of feudalism (enforcing financial dependency of their client populations on their own leadership) to keep control and to pay off external pressure groups like the ISI. But, this system would only last as long as the people of Afghanistan can be bought to keep their alliances and loyalty. his will not be long now that a lot of foreign elements will be leaving – remember they are not only there to support Afghan reconstruction but more importantly, they spend a lot of money in the market, on accommodations and life in Afghanistan. Once they leave, the economy will narrow further. Then what? Secondly, the nature of Taliban has changed as they have increasingly assumed an anti-West terrorist agenda which is parallel or influenced by Al-Quaeda. During their term in power, they reminded me of the current Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Principled but magnanimous. Now they are an Al-Quaeda off shoot – the two are not the same thing and I believe, not what Afghanistan needs. Under their present incarnation, they would not be able to repel ISI influence but would spread their web of intrigue further inside Afghanistan. Thanks for your great comment which I really welcome. Zubaida