CIA top boss also conveyed concerns over ISI to Pak PM
Washington, Aug 1: After CIA deputy chief Stephen R. Kappes had visited Islamabad in mid-July to convey the message that Washington had evidence supporting ISI’s hand in July 7 suicide blast on Indian embassy in Kabul, CIA top boss Michael V. Hayden held an exclusive meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to present him a “charge-sheet” on Pakistani intelligence agency’s alleged involvement in jihadi activities.
Diplomatic and US sources told Dawn the allegations included in the “charge-sheet” were almost identical to what the New York Times had reported on Wednesday.
“Some information in the CIA charge-sheet were so damning that the Pakistanis could not deny them,” the Dawn quoted a senior official familiar with the talks, as saying.
The CIA chief — who also met the prime minister at a dinner on Monday — is believed to have told Gilani that Pakistan will have to do something about this alleged involvement of ISI officials with the militants.
According to the official, the CIA boss also told the PM that even a change of government in Washington would not help Pakistan as whoever occupied the White House in January would also want Islamabad to “rein in the ISI”.
Asked whether he was confident that the ISI contained no pockets of Taliban sympathy, Mr Gilani said: “I am pretty sure about it.” But, he added: “We will still have to look into (the accusations). … It will be resolved,” said the paper. (ANI)