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ISLAMABAD: PPP Senator Raza Rabbani expressed reservations over the federal government’s decision to ask the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to verify and screen all public officials before being inducted, posted, and appointed, or promoted.
The reaction came a day after the government provided a legal cover to the country’s premier spy agency to act as the Special Vetting Agency (SVA) to screen civil servants before their induction, appointments, postings, and promotions.
In a statement, the former Senate chairman said a comprehensive law for the vetting of civil servants was already present, and under it, the process of screening is not needed. “Courts have also overlooked agency reports in their decisions […] the civil servants are already working under pressure due to the NAB law,” the senator noted.
He said the additional task of screening civil servants would “overburden” the ISI, keeping in view the situation in Afghanistan, Kashmir, internal terrorism, and related issues.
He said the notification indicated a lack of confidence in the civilian apparatus of the state and “also blurs the distinction between the civil and military bureaucracy”. The Constitution as well as the Civil Servants Act, 1973, were comprehensive laws and did not require screening of civil servants, he noted.
PML-N stalwart Pervaiz Rasheed said if the ISI is tasked with vetting the civil apparatus, then it should fall under the ambit of the civil administration and be answerable to the Parliament.
PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that if the ambit of institutions is increased, then they should be accountable before the public.
“Does the institution have to think that what role it wants to play in Pakistan’s politics? There is a need to discuss the new role of political institutions and institutions in Pakistan,” he said.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the intelligence agency had been screening government officers and politicians. He said the party’s leadership made the decision independently.
According to reports, the decision was taken in a recent federal cabinet meeting but was not revealed. The ISI had started working and sought data of government officers and their families from the departments concerned.
With the special status and powers, the spy agency would keep an eye on the moral and financial affairs of government officers and would submit details to the Central Selection Board (CSB).
Previously the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was performing the vetting process which has now been replaced by the ISI. The ISI was earlier tasked with vetting the cases of officials before they were posted abroad
The notification, issued on June 2, had stated “the Prime Minister is pleased to notify Directorate General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as Special Vetting Agency (SVA) for verification and screening of all public office holders (officers’ category) for induction, important postings/ appointments and promotions.”
