Imran visits ISI’s HQ, describes it as first line of defence

Prime Minister Imran Khan has described the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency as the "best intelligence agency of the world" and said it is Pakistan’s “first line of defence”.

Khan made the remarks during his first visit to the ISI headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday along with senior members of his cabinet, including the ministers of foreign affairs, defence, information and finance.

The premier was received by the army chief, Gen Qamar Bajwa, and the ISI director general, Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar.

Khan earlier visited the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi twice – first to get an in-depth briefing on the internal security and geo-strategic situations and then to attend the Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony on September 6.

A statement issued by the military’s media arm said Khan laid a wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada or martyrs’ memorial and offered ‘fateha’ or prayers for the dead.

“(Khan) lauded contributions of ISI towards national security, especially in the ongoing counterterrorism effort. PM said that ISI is our first line of defence and stands out as best intelligence agency of the world,” the statement said. The premier was “briefed in detail on various strategic intelligence and national security matters”, it added.

Khan said the government and people firmly stood behind the armed forces and intelligence

ISLAMABAD: The prime minister lauded contributions of the ISI towards national security especially in the ongoing counter terrorism effort. (He) said the ISI is our first line of defence and stands out as best intelligence agency INTER-SERVICES PUBLIC RELATIONS, in a statement on Imran Khan’s visit

agencies and acknowledged the “unprecedented achievements” of these institutions.

Unlike in the past, Pakistan current civilian and military leadership are seen to be on the same page. Khan, during his address at the General Headquarters on September 6, rejected as a myth the perception that there is a civil-military divide.

Without naming any party, Khan had said a wrong impression had been created about a civil-military imbalance in Pakistan. He insisted all state institutions were working to see Pakistan grow and prosper.