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Military’s spokesperson Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor announced on Friday that the General Headquarters (GHQ) has summoned former ISI chief retired Lt Gen Asad Durrani on May 28, where he "will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book ‘Spy Chronicles’.”
According to the statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations chief, the attribution of statements in the book to the former ISI chief is being “taken as a violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel”.
Lt Gen Asad Durrani, Retired being called in GHQ on 28th May 18. Will be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in book ‘Spy Chronicles’. Attribution taken as violation of Military Code of Conduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) May 25, 2018
The recently released book titled The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI and the Illusion of Peace has been co-authored by former RAW chief A S Dulat and former ISI chief Lt Gen Asad Durrani.
The book is said to be mainly a series of discussions conducted between the two former adversaries on a range of topics by journalist Aditya Sinha.
Released on Wednesday, the paperback has served as an ice-breaker of sorts between the two warring neighbours while also spurring criticism of Indian state repression in held Kashmir.
Earlier in the day, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif appeared to draw a parallel between his own recent statement on the Mumbai attack case and the contents of the said book jointly penned by Durrani and Dulat, and called for the National Security Council (NSC) to re-convene on the matter as it had in his (Sharif's) case.
Nawaz believes that the former DG ISI, through this book, has made public some "serious information" and that it is now necessary to call an emergency NSC meeting to discuss the matter.
It is pertinent to mention here that Nawaz, in an interview to Dawn early this month, had said: "should we allow them [non-state actors] to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai?" — remarks that were perceived across the border as an open admission that the state of Pakistan was involved in the infamous 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Indian media's inflammatory reportage was soon picked up in Pakistan, leading to criticism and condemnation of Nawaz Sharif's stance.
To address the 'situation' arising from the media furore, an NSC meeting was called over the matter during which Nawaz's comments were deemed "incorrect and misleading".
Earlier this week, the former India spymaster had asked the Indian government to invite Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to kick-start the stalled talks between the two countries.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (61) Closed
May 26, 2018 12:41am
Why not National Security Council's meeting was convened on this?
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May 26, 2018 12:52am
This is the second violation of military code of conduct or discipline made by Asad Durrani. Earlier, he destabilised the country politically by creating rift between the political parties through the illegal money taken from Mehran Bank headed by Younas Habib and now he shared all secrets with his hostile former Indian counterpart A.S. Dulat. He should be put on trial under military law.
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May 26, 2018 01:00am
It is his freedom of speech to talk about anything. GHQ has no right to 'summon' anyone. Supreme court should take notice of this.
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May 26, 2018 01:01am
Gen Bajawa always does the right thing; highly professional and righteous in his conduct.
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May 26, 2018 01:08am
Great Step it clearly states no one is above the law.
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May 26, 2018 01:09am
@Life because not needed.
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May 26, 2018 01:09am
@Life He didn’t blame his own country like Nawaz Sharif did
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May 26, 2018 01:16am
War or hinting one’ is a profitable business for many.
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May 26, 2018 01:19am
That’ll be awkward for Lt Gen Duranni after being questioned by officers whovare atleast 20 years junio than him
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May 26, 2018 01:27am
@Azaad freedom of speech does not apply to government officers entrusted with confidential information.
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May 26, 2018 01:34am
How can a general who retired in 1992 know anything at all about events and methods behind them during and post Musharraf era, especially when there was a major shift in stance of military?? My guess he was lured in to co author this piece, not for free obviously, to further destabilize Pakistan politically. Who will gain from this? Besides MNS, probably India.
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May 26, 2018 01:38am
Right step in the right direction...the message is very clear...no one is above law and disloyalty to Pakistan os not an option!
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May 26, 2018 01:38am
Durrani did not disclose any secrets. He has done a commendable and courageous job. Parliament should encourage such reflections and views in the interest of long term peace in South Asia.
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May 26, 2018 01:41am
what About convening National security council meeting..
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May 26, 2018 01:45am
@Azaad it was not the freedom / his right that has given him access to sensitive information, it was the post / his rank that he was blessed with, he is bound by military law to abide by those rules, if GHQ thinks he has done something wrong, they are very much right to call him.
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May 26, 2018 01:52am
The book has already published and circulated. Why a NSC meeting was not called this time? Are they trying to cover the things?
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May 26, 2018 01:56am
Making a mountain out of a mole hill!
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May 26, 2018 02:06am
@Life he is retired military person ,falls under military laws .Whereas a politician is supposed to be inquired by judiciary or Parliament .So army doing its job
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May 26, 2018 02:13am
The book obviously is an attempt by Lt. General Asad Durrani and his counter part to bring some logic to the Pakistan-India 70 year old dispute. General Durrani is fully aware of his obligations as a retired military general officer.
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May 26, 2018 02:21am
Had author of 'Eating Grass' all material in it gotten cleared by relevant authorities?
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May 26, 2018 02:29am
Whosoever leaks secrets of the state and brings humility to the country at international level,must be dealt with iron hands.Whether it be politician or general , national interest should not be harmed.
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May 26, 2018 02:34am
A fit case for military trial.
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May 26, 2018 02:35am
i doubt if military laws applies after so many years . just 3 years in India except OSA . in other countries information is de classified after few years
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May 26, 2018 02:36am
Any way, it will serve to defuse the tension between the world neighboring countries.
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May 26, 2018 02:41am
@Azaad Military code supersedes the freedom of speech.
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May 26, 2018 02:48am
Why not calling NSC merting ? DG ISI reportts to PM and PM should call NSC meeting this is more serious than NS statement.
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May 26, 2018 02:55am
@Shahid DG ISI reporting to PM. And PM should call NSC. Army was very swift in calling NSC meeting in case of NS statement.
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May 26, 2018 03:07am
Why Army is questioning him. If anyone has a right to ask , it is the elected government! When will we start learning to respect the authority of the elected PM? Hence, the reason that every other day , there is. Sit ins challenging the writ of the government.
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May 26, 2018 03:18am
@Azaad you are wrong, He has no freedom of speech. GHQ has full right to summon him and Nawaz and marium for court martial
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May 26, 2018 03:24am
Why not convene the National Security Council meeting to discuss the former ISI chief Durrani,s comments in the book which he co authored with his Indian counterpart.Since he was the ISI chief, he knows the whole story inside out.Treating the former ISI chief with soft gloves is not in the best interests of the country. If he has broken the military code of conduct and secrecy, he should be charged in the military court and punished. Nobody should be above the law military or civilian who has violated the constitution .Mr Nowaz Sharif is right when he demands that treason charges against former military dictator Musharraf be initiated.The Army should support such cases to punish the guilty party even if its one of their own.This is the only way we can move forward on path of democracy/justice to prevent such violations in the future.Former Army chief Baig and ISI chief who interfered in election process should also be initiated without further delay if we want to be nation of laws.
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May 26, 2018 03:43am
Well done Durrani!! Sometimes things should be made public for correction of history and breaking of Ice Otherwise power of true analysis dies out and speculations makes their ways to mislead the public.
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May 26, 2018 03:53am
Good step. He should be sent to jail or strip of his services for dishonouring his oath
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May 26, 2018 04:48am
@Azaad
Yes, I agree. If General Durrani is blamed for any violations of Pak Army’s code of conduct then he can we investigated by supreme court judge but “Who is GHQ ?” to summon him.
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May 26, 2018 04:58am
Durrani will probably deny about being involved in this book.
Whereas NS should be banned from media altogether or silenced like Altaf of mqm to restore situation in the country...
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May 26, 2018 05:00am
@Azaad .. correct ..SC should take notice of this and seek explanation from durrani for such adventure
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May 26, 2018 05:14am
@BhaRAT That's what happens when institutions get stronger than persons.
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May 26, 2018 05:49am
General Durrani has not shared any state secrets. His book is basically a political commentary with his views and description of events which unfolded before him and as he saw them through the lense of his experience, so it should be appreciated as valuable and wise input to further the cause of permanent peace between Pakistan and India to protect over 1.5 billion people of the subcontinent and to allow them better future
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May 26, 2018 05:51am
It is good to give Gen. Durrani a chance to put forward his case how ever frail and ill-conceived. Did he first obtain permission for the exercise from GHQ. At that point limits on terms of discussion and extent of revelations could have been prescribed. Secondly was the final content reviewed by his former employer. If neither transpired thenGen. Durrani should get ready for the consequences.
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May 26, 2018 05:52am
Prosecute him in military court and put him behind bars.
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May 26, 2018 06:16am
Thank you Nawaz Sharif - At least now GHQ issues a statement about his own general ... good start of accountability..
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May 26, 2018 06:28am
Military secrecy act applies for life, as retired soldiers are part of army reserves, and irrespective if he is telling truth or false, so whether he is retired or serving, doesn't matter. In summary he should be allowed to provide his defense and if he is unable to justify the content, he should be court martialled
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May 26, 2018 06:34am
@Life What NSC on NS statements, nothing, but in GHQ there will be some action against this General.
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May 26, 2018 07:08am
If what Asad Durrani said warrants an internal army inquisition, will similar action be taken against Musharraf, Mahmood Durrani, Late Hamid Gul posthumously? Etc.? And what about those Asad Durrani identified as people who sold out Pakistan's interests?? Or such censured recipients can only be civilian leaders?? Enough is enough.
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May 26, 2018 07:42am
Nawaz Sharif the three time PM has lowered himself so down and equated himself with a retired Lt gen who retired at least two decades ago. What a pity ?. In any case a retired military officer is not provided any secret information after his retirement.Where as the ex PM Nawaz Sharif has been recently disqualified and his party is still in power.Equation is lopsided. However.if the former General has violated the official secret act by divulging information that he had while he was in service he must be severely dealt with.
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May 26, 2018 07:44am
@Azaad Although I agree with you to a certain extent, but you have to understand that as a Military and Intelligence EX- official, he cannot reveal his knowledge and experiences, that's about the simplest way I can put it without going into further detail, that is how it is with all the military and intelligence agencies around the world, even some government jobs.
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May 26, 2018 07:45am
@Azaad the state is more important than your freedom of speech
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May 26, 2018 08:17am
Musharraf has many more things, why he was never called or NSC meeting called?
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May 26, 2018 01:02pm
How many guys here (commenting) have read the book?
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May 26, 2018 09:08pm
@Life "Why not National Security Council's meeting on this?
Military-establishment is not responsible for security. Its job of political leadership :-)
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May 27, 2018 08:41am
Were GHQ, NSC and ISI not aware in advance that the former ISI Chief had co-authored the book? Why did they not stop Asad Durrani before he had authored the book? Without their blessings, Mr. Durrani would not have ventured to author the book.
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May 27, 2018 11:20am
Some people here are just trying to prove them self more patriotic than the others and I bet they have not read the book.
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May 27, 2018 12:11pm
Will Gen Durrani pay the same price as Nawaz Sharif ?
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May 27, 2018 03:41pm
Pakistan Army is not running the law in Pakistan. Last i checked there is a supreme court in Pakistan.
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May 27, 2018 04:25pm
Clearly , not a single reader here has even seen the book , leave along read it . Yet , action , including jail terms is being asked for !! How hilarious.
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May 27, 2018 05:15pm
I did not read the book but in general we should encourage partnership of professionals of some standing in various fields to come together and work. If we really want a day where neither country sees the other as a threat and trade / tourism to flow freely, such initiatives should be encouraged than challenged.
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May 27, 2018 08:47pm
I wonder why people of pakistan are more interested in criticising/punishing people like Durrani instead of wanting to know what has happened in the past in their country which has directly impacted lives of all people of Pakistan.
There is less inclination to seek truth and more tendency to just close their minds to anything which does not conform to the narrative which they are led to believe all these years. Even in case of Nawaz Sharif. Agreed he may be corrupt or he is just trying to save him self but still what he has spoken, impacts the lives of each & every citizen of Pakistan & yet every where in newspapers, tv etc. people only talk about punishing him & are least bothered to try to extract & face truth
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May 27, 2018 10:46pm
His narrative is enlightening, it is fully in line with the national interests and only exposes mistakes, shortcomings and incompetence of past leaders from civilian government and military leadership. It is balanced and honest, with loyalty to Pakistan; and not any political or organisational loyalty and bias in mind.
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May 28, 2018 07:30am
@BhaRAT Nawaz Sheriff has spoken the truth.
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May 28, 2018 08:10am
@Wazir 1 Have you read the book. Apparently not. Please read the book before commenting. The PDF version is available on social media. Otherwise this is becoming a case of the blind leading the blind.
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May 28, 2018 08:16am
@MIR UMER USMAN You haven't read the book. So until you read it, please refrain from commenting.
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May 28, 2018 01:24pm
@Umar Aftab "@Azaad freedom of speech does not apply to government officers entrusted with confidential information."
Here I agree with you that nobody should disclose confidential information, although they are dirty state secrets. First, Hussein Haqqani, Gen. Musharraf, Nawas Shariff,
Asad Durrani and now more to follow. Truth cannot be suppressed for ever and it would come out one day that too at the most inconvenient time for the suppressor. Pakistan always deny and they have perfected the art of denial.
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