Ex-ISI chief admits funding opponents of PPP in 1990

Lahore, Aug 18 : Even as the debate over ISI's role in Pakistan politics is raging, a former top official of the spy agency has said that that he had himself disbursed funds to political opponents of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in 1990.

He was however quick to add that the intelligence agency was not involved in the scandal, and that the money neither belonged to the Pakistan government nor the ISI.

Asad Durani, a former ISI Director General, said that he was "uncomfortable" about his involvement in disbursing funds for manipulating the Islami Jamhoori Ittihad (IJI) into opposing the PPP, and "felt bad" about his actions, but added, "In a certain environment, we act in a certain manner."

He said that former chief of army staff Mirza Aslam Baig had not been involved in the scandal, but added that numerous other people had been involved.

He also denied he had been appointed as the ambassador to Germany due to his loyalty to Benazir, saying that he had been recommended by Gen Kakar.

Durrani also denied that former premier Nawaz Sharif's statement that he, along with former army chief Mirza Aslam Baig had approached him and had presented blueprints for using drugs as a source of funding ISI.

The ISI had never been involved in drug trafficking, the Daily Times quoted Durrani as saying.

ANI