Islamabad: The New Chief at the ISI office, Lt General Zaheerul Islam, postponed his visit to United States of America, scheduled later this week to meet CIA Director General David Petraeus and other senior American officials.
The reasons might be numerous, few sources claims that the sentencing of Dr Shakil Afridi, who assisted the CIA in searching Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden last year in Abbottabad.
On the other hand, Army Spokesman held the view that DG ISI had called off his visit to the US owing his “imperative commitments” in the country and refuted all other claims of delaying the trip to US.
However, if we see in a broader perspective, the cancelation of the trip might not look too complicated as they are being made. The reason as to why DG ISI Cancelled US Visit is quite simple, we remember there had been rows over several core issues including the NATO Supply Line closed about six months ago, Pakistan’s recent demand for $5000 as tax on every NATO truck, US apology over the airstrikes (not made yet) and some others.
The core issue that made Lt. General Zaheer to cancel the trip is definitely the NATO Supply Issue and if he would have visited there, he would surely been forced to re-open the route soon. It is very much evident from the past that out military and political leadership succumbed to the pressure too easily every time they are being forced by the US.
So, this was the only solution for our Spy leader to keep him away and safe from any demand from US, and had he visited States and issues orders for the reopening of supply line on his return, he would have faced harsh criticism by the people of Pakistan.
I would suggest our Intelligence Chief to refrain visiting US until the relationship between Pakistan and America comes back to the normal level and this would only result if US stop bombarding our land via Drone attacks and apologies for Salala Incident that took lives of our 24 soldiers.