Dr Muhammad Khan
WHEREAS the defence forces of Pakistan act as a strong combat force to defeat and destroy the enemies of Pakistan in physical terms, its premium intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) act as eyes and ears for the state, its national interests and its masses. Ever since its establishment, this premium organization has acted as the first line of defence for Pakistan. It provides timely information and early warnings about the global and regional happenings with particular reference to their impact on Pakistan. Moreover, ISI through its efficient organizational structure and dedicated work force timely inform the leadership about the emerging threats and approaches to counter those threats with needed counter measures. Owing to its most efficient recital and farsightedness, it is globally ranked as number one spying network of the world, leaving behind the CIA and MI-6. Ranking this premium organization as world’s top network is a matter of great pride for the people of Pakistan. The more this organization gain in terms of professionalism and farsighted planning, Pakistan will be more secure and protected from the conspiracies of global spying networks and the rival forces which otherwise look for an opportunity to harm Pakistan and its national interests. Indeed, safeguarding the national interests of Pakistan is the primary objective of this premium Pakistani organization.
In the last two decades, ISI has very successfully unearthed and destroyed the network of terrorism, which the enemies of Pakistan have established to destabilize and weaken the state and society of Pakistan. It has successfully unearthed the abettors, sponsors, supporters, financers and sympathizers of terrorism, extremism and radicalization both within Pakistan and across the Pakistani frontiers. The rival international and regional spying networks have been operating from the neighbourhood of Pakistan with the aim of internal destabilization of Pakistan. These forces have been operating from the soil of neighbouring states much before the incident of 9/11. Indeed, the international forces predicted that war on terror would devastate Pakistan with chaos among the masses and onset of civil war in Pakistan. Alongside the defence forces of Pakistan; ISI played a decisive role to counter and finally waning these regional and internal strategies against Pakistan. It is worth mentioning that the premium spying network of Pakistan has thwarted the anti-Pakistan activities of regional and international spying networks. It has successfully countered and debauched these hostile spying networks and their huge infrastructure. Otherwise, it was very difficult to deal with highly sophisticated and well-knitted international and regional spying networks. Unlike the cruel spying networks like RAW, NDS and Mossad, ISI has maintained a clean conduct ever since its establishment. ISI has neither established inhuman camps like Guantanamo Bay nor colonised its neighbours. On behalf of the Government, it has sincerely and wholeheartedly supported the peace process in Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan is the biggest supporter of peace and stability in its neighbourhood especially in Afghanistan.
Indeed, this premium intelligence agency helps all other government institutions within Pakistan with a view to timely reacting against any eventuality they are likely to face. Its well established information system has greatly helped during all military operations against terrorism. Operation Rad-ul-Fassad is totally intelligence-based operation which has destroyed the sleeper cells of terrorists and financial basis of extremism, terrorism and radicalization. Apart from supporting the security apparatus of Pakistan on the issue of security and strategy, this premium organization looks after over-all national interest of Pakistan. It plays a greater role in finding the economic opportunities for Pakistan at international level. It also facilitates advancing the trade and commerce for the business community of Pakistan at international level. The organization has greater role in creating a positive image of Pakistan which the rival powers have tarnished over the years. Owing to its marvellous achievements, the regional and global spying networks are hell-bent to harm this brilliant organization by all means. Since the direct attacks over this organization have failed, the rival agencies have lobbied to defame the organization through internal and external defaming campaigns. In a way, the masses particularly the literate class in the society are slowly and gradually festering to defame the organization alongside defaming the organization of military.
In this regard, some of the political parties and religio-political groups are being asked to defame the organization through their political statements and political workers. Through an indirect approach the rival spying networks are creating an environment in Pakistan to mobilize the political forces, the social and religious groups and media houses against this national institution of Pakistan. These indirect strategies are part of hybrid warfare, the enemies of Pakistan have already unleashed against Pakistan. Let’s not be driven by the agendas, narratives and interests of rival powers. After all, the hybrid warfare is all about the game of building perceptions. As a nation we need to well understand that ISI is Pakistan’s first line of defence which could not be sapped despites decades of conspiracies against it by adversaries. Let’s comprehend, endorse and be determined that Pakistani nationals should never indulge themselves in the unholy task of defamation campaigns and intrigues against this world number one organization. ISI is a premium national institution which must be respected and believed to be the guarantor of our national security and solidarity.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
