LOC22:03
19:03 GMT
ISLAMABAD, July 30 (KUNA) -- Pakistan Wednesday refuted the US media
reports about possible links between its intelligence agency and Taliban
militants.
"It is a well-organized plan to target ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence),"
said Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik while talking to
newsmen.
A New York Times report has said that a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
official, who was not named, has confronted senior Pakistani officials with
evidence showing that the ISI has links with some militant groups, which are
responsible for increasing violence in Afghanistan.
"ISI is a national organization and has played a key role in the war on
terror and extremism and national intelligence agencies are working in right
direction," said Rehman Malik and asked archrival India to cut its relations
with Baitullah Mehsud, the commander of Pakistan-based Taliban militants.
The latest accusations against ISI came days after the government tried to
bring the agency under the control of Interior division. The Federal
government issued a statement Saturday night informing that the government has
placed the ISI and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the direct control of
the interior division.
However, the very next morning, the decision was taken back and another
statement was issued, saying the order was misunderstood. (end)
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