Pakistan Army, ISI want talks with India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence agency have launched concerted efforts to be involved in talks with India.

Diplomatic and other sources say the two organisations believe they can play a role because they are intrinsically linked to policy-making in Pakistan.

ISI chief Lt Gen Shuja Pasha, a trusted aide of powerful army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has been involved in the move and reportedly brought up the matter during a meeting with the three defence advisers in the Indian High Commission earlier this month, the sources said.

Pasha suggested to the defence advisors representing India's army, navy and air forces during the meeting held on July 3 that the ISI and the Pakistan Army should find a place in bilateral talks as they played a key role in helping the foreign ministry formulate its policies, diplomatic and other sources said.

Over the past few weeks, members of the Pakistani security establishment have privately sounded out Pakistani journalists about the need for the ISI and the army to have a role in talks with India.

The journalists were told that talks with India would be more meaningful if New Delhi was in "direct contact" with the ISI and the army as they were the real "power centres" in Pakistan.

Officials of the Indian High Commission refused to comment on the development. The Pakistan Army spokesman too could not be reached for a reaction.