Pakistani ISI political wing disbanded

Region:

* Qureshi says will discuss water, Kashmir in India
* IMF loan will pave way for more help

MULTAN: The political wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence has been disbanded, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters in Multan on Sunday, adding that the army is performing its duties well.

“The ISI is a precious national institution and wants to focus on counterterrorism activities,” APP quoted him as saying.

Responding to a question, Qureshi categorically denied the possibility of martial law, adding that the government, the parliament and the armed forces had “a unanimity of views”.

India: Qureshi, who left for India later on Sunday, said he would meet his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee and other Indian leaders to discuss bilateral issues including reduced water flow in the Chenab River and the Kashmir issue.

IMF: Qureshi said an International Monetary Fund loan would pave the way for more assistance from international financial institutions.

He denied an agricultural income tax was among the IMF conditions, adding such taxes were a provincial subject.

The minister said an ‘expert level’ meeting of the Friends of Pakistan forum is scheduled for January 13 to 16 in Islamabad, he said, and foreign ministers of the countries in the forum would be invited to Pakistan in February.

Qureshi said he could not confirm the killing of British terror suspect Rashid Rauf in a US missile attack on Saturday and the reported request of his wife for the body. He said the government would act in line with the rules if it gets such information.


Articles by: Global Research

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