Scenario Simulation Briefing Report

Scenario Simulation Briefing Report

Introduction

The ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) is Pakistan's military equivalent of the Central Intelligence Agency. The intelligence agencies in Pakistan consist of three bodies : IB (Intelligence Bureau) , MI (Military Intelligence) and ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) . The officers of this intelligence agency are hired from the three armed forces of Pakistan namely Army, Air-force and Navy. The ISI was formed in 1948 as an independent intelligence body after the India-Pakistan 1947 war which exposed the loopholes in collecting, sharing and coordination between the three armed forces. The main duty of this agency is to provide national security and provide intelligence information to the Government of Pakistan.

Discussion

ISI has the role of safeguarding Pakistan's interest and monitoring opposition politicians. It is give the duty of collecting foreign and domestic intelligence; co-coordinating the intelligence functions of the three armed forces; monitoring its troops, foreigners, the media, and political elements in the society, diplomats of others countries endorsed to Pakistan and Pakistan diplomats in other countries. The agency also intercepts and review communication and the flow of stealth aggressive operations. The ISI has become a state within a state, accountable to neither to the army or the government. The scenario has led to no real supervision of the agency's activity, and corruption, drugs and money has all been an active part of the country's politics.

Priorities of ISI

The priorities of the agency have changed over a period of time with the changes in the global scenario. Pakistan has fought two wars with India following the 1948 war. This was the reason for the organization to be focused more on India in its first thirty years (Chengappa, 2000, p.1857). The reputation of this agency came into light when it played a significant role in supporting and mobilizing the Afghan resistance against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (Oakley & Gadyprocess, 2009, p.1). The Soviet wanted to have a rule over that part of the world so that they could control the energy supplies that were abundant in the Persian Gulf. The United States saw this as a great threat and in collaboration with the ISI supported the Afghan Mujahedeen to resist this threat. The ISI became an army within army with weapons, finance, access to technology and no one to challenge their authority. The CIA relation, combined with the fund from Saudi Arabia made ISI Pakistan's most powerful institution (Anonymous, 2008).

Having these strengths and ties to extremist organizations, the ISI began to help militants in Kashmir creating a wave of instability and violence and also remained in Afghanistan. The priority has been to serve Pakistan and Kashmir is a disputed territory that is fought over by the extremists and Indian forces. Pakistan has kept its interest in the land through its support for the extremists. These relations have been critical for the country in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the loyalty of Pakistan with these extremists has been questioned. The civil government has always been weak in ...