In old posting,new ISI chief failed to check terror outfits

The officer was in charge of counter intelligence and domestic issues of the spy agency and his role included,among other tasks,keeping an eye on terror outfits operating out of Pakistan. However,as it turned out,clear proof later emerged that the attacks were orchestrated with the help of the spy agency.

While the three-year previous tenure in ISI will come in handy for the officer who has been hand picked by Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani,Lt Gen Islam has seen the worst side of home grown terror as the Karachi Corps Commander. Since he took over the position in October 2010,a series of high profile attacks and arrests have made news in the region.

The Punjab regiment officer was at the helm of affairs in May 2011 when an audacious attack was carried out by the Tehrik-i-Taliban on the Mehran naval airbase,killing 18 armed force personnel and destroying two US supplied naval maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

His experience in combating home grown terror groups and the earlier appointment as DG Internal will be seen as positive signs by Washington which has repeatedly raised concerns about the security situation in Pakistan and has had a frosty relationship with his predecessor Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha,specially after the Abbottabad raid. The new appointment has put all rumors of an extension for Pasha to rest.

While it is still too early to speculate on whether Islam could be heading for the position of the Pakistani Army Chief,his close relations with Kayani — who appointed him as Lt Gen and entrusted the strategic Karachi Corps with the officer — could mean a shot at the top post.

Kayani,who is currently on an extension,is due to retire by November next year and Islam would be one of the top few officers who would be in position to be appointed as his successor.