ISI chief in US for talks on intelligence cooperation

Washington, Apr 15 (ANI): Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt General Shuja Pasha is in the United States on a two-day visit for talks on intelligence cooperation in wake of US military chief Admiral Michael Mullen's warning that violence in Afghanistan is set to rise in the coming months.

Lt General. Shuja Pasha's visit to the US comes amidst increasing concerns voiced by US generals regarding the ISI's alleged relationship with militant organisations.

During a recent visit to Pakistan, Admiral Mike Mullen briefed a select group of media personnel on US apprehensions regarding the ISI's alleged support for certain organisations.

Official sources in Washington said that General Pasha is expected to meet the CIA chief and other US intelligence and security officials. So far no meeting is scheduled with senior military or political officials.

His talks, however, are expected to focus enhancing intelligence cooperation between the two countries in the fight against Taliban and al Qaeda militants, the Dawn reported.

A leading news magazine, US News and World Report, warned that for Afghan and American officers fighting the Taliban, "the most persistent worry is that ISI operatives share sensitive information about future operations with the militants."

Last week, General David Petraeus, commander of the US forces for the greater Middle East region, which includes both Afghanistan and Pakistan, told a congressional panel that he too had been concerned about the ISI leaking information to the Taliban.

As a result, many within the US military remain suspicious about how much cooperation, particularly in intelligence matters, can really occur with Pakistani forces, he said.

But he also said that the US 'must do everything we can to assist' the Pakistanis but this 'has to be done very carefully.' (ANI)