Pak's Civilian Intelligence chief being removed

Islamabad, Nov 8 (UNI) Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau (IB) will have a new Director General in place of retired Brigadier Syed Ejaz Shah, as President Pervez Musharraf is contemplating to bring about important changes in the hierarchy of the civilian intelligence gathering agencies.

Brig Shah will be offered an ambassadorial slot upon relinquishing the incumbent office.

Major General (Retd) Syed Hussain Mehdi, former Director General Punjab Rangers, is on the top of the probables for the job and it is expected that the change would come through in a couple of weeks.

The president was planning to reshuffle senior bureaucracy, including the people who mattered before going for any other major action.

Brig Shah was made controversial by former Prime Minister and the leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto when she accused him of hatching a conspiracy to kill her in a bomb blast on the day of her return to the country from self-imposed exile on October 18 .

He took over as Director General Intelligence Bureau (DGIB) in February 2004, replacing Colonel Bashir Wali Muhammad who was appointed Pakistan's high commissioner in Sri Lanka upon retirement.

Brig Shah was given extension in service early this year and he was to complete his tenure in February next.

UNI