Major reshuffle in Pak army, ISI under Kayani

Islamabad, Sep 30: Pakistan Chief of Army Staffs(COAS) Ashfaq Kiyani is for major reshuffle in Pakistan army. In a first major reshuffle in Pakistan Army and ISI ranks, four of the nine corps commanders were changed and appointed a new head of the intelligence agency. Besides, he also appointed a new chief of general staff, and gave key postings to a few others.

It is believed that Kiyani has put in place a new team to implement his vision for reviving the prestige of the armed forces and for enhancing the security of the state. The move is being seen by observers as highly significant as it comes against the backdrop of stepped-up US incursions inside Pakistan's territory and the unusual statement by the Army Chief declaring that violation of the country's sovereignty would not be allowed at any cost.

The shake-up in the Army ranks is being described as most significant since the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf stepped down as the country's controversial president.

The move came within hours of the promotion of seven major generals to the rank of three-star lieutenant generals, with a number of them becoming the direct beneficiary of the reshuffle.

Perhaps, the most surprising of all such changes is the appointment of Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha as the new ISI Director-General. He replaces Lt-Gen Nadeem Taj, who has been appointed Commander of 30 Corps in Gujranwala. A highly professional soldier in his own right, Lt-Gen Pasha has for the past over two years been overseeing the ongoing security operation in the tribal areas and parts of the NWFP.

In his capacity as the Director-General Military Operations, he was directly responsible for the launching and execution of all major security strikes in FATA and Swat, the latest being the major onslaught against religious extremists in the Bajaur tribal agency.

ANI