Asad Durrani: Defense Ministry accuses former ISI chief of having links with Indian intelligence agency RAW

 Asad Durrani: Defense Ministry accuses former ISI chief of having links with Indian intelligence agency RAW

Pakistan's Defense Ministry responds to Islamabad High Court's request to remove retired Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani, former head of the country's military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), from the Exit Control List (ECL) The report states that the former ISI chief has been in touch with RAW since 2008.

In the reply, it was also mentioned that Asad Durrani is also involved in anti-national activities. The Defense Ministry says that on this basis, his name cannot be removed from the ECL, due to which he cannot step out of the country.

However, Asad Durrani has denied the allegations several times in the past.

It is pertinent to mention that he had written a book with AS Dalit, the former head of the Indian intelligence agency RAW, which, according to Pakistani officials, included material related to Pakistan's national security. The former ISI chief was named to the ECL.

A writ petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court by Lt. Gen. (retd) Asad Durrani against the government's move, in which it was stated that his name should be removed from the ECL.

Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah had sought a reply from the Interior Ministry on the petition.

What else did the Ministry of Defense say about Asad Durrani?

A reply was filed by the Ministry of Defense in the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday. The reply said that the former head of ISI had also violated the Official Secrets Act, 1923 by writing books with the former head of Indian RAW and the crime was being prosecuted under the Army Act.

In this reply, reference has also been made to the Army Act, 1952 and it has been said that the petitioners have been in the Army but if any civilian is also involved in activities that endanger the national interest, then Article 2D of the Act It could also be court-martialled.

In response, citing ECL law, the Interior Ministry said that if a person is involved in terrorism or poses a threat to national security, the federal government has the power to arrest him. Add the person's name to the ECL without giving notice and he/she cannot be allowed to leave the country

The reply also mentioned that the investigation against Lieutenant General (retd) Asad Durrani is in the final stages and at such a stage his name cannot be removed from the ECL.

The Interior Ministry said in its reply that the purpose of the petitioner's departure at this stage was to "participate in international conferences, forums, and talk shows and that this could lead to complications for national security".

The response said that the manner in which the former ISI chief appeared on social media on October 12 and 13 last year and expressed his feelings "was not well received by any patriotic citizen". I did not elaborate on the 'feelings' of the former ISI chief.

The next hearing on the petition by Lieutenant General (retd) Asad Durrani will be held on February 12 and the court has also directed the federal government to produce the published parts of the book written by the petitioner. As the saying goes, "against national security."