26 February 2004	Thursday	05 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: Intelligence Bureau director-general Col Bashir Wali (Rtd) has been replaced by ex-ISI officer Brig Ijaz Shah (Rtd). The outgoing director-general was promoted from the post of joint director of the IB to head the agency about a year ago.

He served as the IB director-general for almost a year when the establishment division issued his posting orders on Wednesday. "The incumbent has been asked to report to the establishment division," an official said when contacted by Dawn.

Ijaz Shah, said to be a trusted friend of President Gen Musharraf, has an experience of tackling the threat posed by militant organizations. The US has been persuading the government to crackdown on the right wing religious groups suspected of having links with Al-Qaeda. Mr Ijaz is expected to deliver quick results.

"Ijaz Shah would be on contract," another official said. Omar Sheikh, alleged mastermind of Daniel Pearl kidnapping, had surrendered to Brigadier Ijaz (Rtd) when he was serving as home secretary of Punjab. "The tenure of his contract will be determined later," an official said.