COAS Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has granted a one-year extension to the service of ISI Chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who was due to retire on March 18. He is the fourth serving General to get such extension after Lt Gen Tanvir Tahir, Lt Gen Masood Alam and Lt Gen Sikandar Afzal.
Much has been debated on the legal aspects of these extensions and the fallouts on the seniority and established procedures in vogue. However, the expediency and rationale that could be explored behind these decisions, predominantly emanates from the ongoing military engagements on western borders and prevalent security situation in the country.
Some critical decisions, made by political and military leadership, have started producing desired results, particularly after the successful operations in Swat and South Waziristan. At the present juncture, some serious business is required to reap the benefits by the continuity of policies towards extremism within borders. Pakistan's strategy has been carefully studied and widely admired even by the critics in the West. Therefore, the Army Chief would like to maintain the lot he thinks is vital to get the job done.
Notwithstanding, the fact that army has the professional officers to fill the vacuum of the incumbent officers, however, the continuation of existing policies require these men to continue with their assigned tasks. The civilian government also seemed to be taken into confidence on this issue and political leadership appears to be in harmony on the decisions made by the Army Chief, vis-à-vis the Generals' appointment.
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