Pak PM orders ISI's political wing to be a part of IB

Lahore, May 7 : In a major reshuffle in the country's intelligence apparatus, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has handed over the political wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Pakistan's IB is part of the country's Interior Ministry. It is Pakistan's main domestic intelligence and espionage agency, and its tasks include counter-intelligence and internal security matters. It is considered as a rival of the country's all powerful intelligence network ISI.

The Prime Minister decided to make the changes after having consultations with PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. The move was finalised in order to tighten the new government's grip on the country's affairs, reported the Daily Times.

Currently, the IB is headed by Wing Commander (R) Tariq Lodhi, a close friend of Zardari.

Quoting unidentified sources in the Presidency, the report said Musharraf was no longer receiving fortnightly intelligence reports from the ISI and the Military Intelligence (MI).

It added that the President was now relying only on the reports from the IB, which also shared its information with the prime minister.

From now onwards, the ISI would send intelligence reports to the prime minister and the MI to the Army Chief and the Corps Commanders. And, all civilian intelligence agencies would report to the prime minister, added the report.

ANI