Ghani vows to change NDS-ISI intelligence accord

President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday promised the Jihadi leaders and religious scholars to bring changes in the test of the intelligence agreement between Afghanistan National Directorate Security (NDS) and Pakistan Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI).

President Ghani in Thursday’s meeting with Jihadis and scholars have noted that the accord is a part of Afghanistan’s effort for brining peace in the country.

However, the National Security Council has said to Ariananews that no treaty has signed between Afghanistan and Taliban ISI so far.

It has been said that the spy agencies of Pakistan and Afghanistan have signed an agreement on intelligence sharing and coordinated operations, a move criticised by Afghan lawmakers who said the pact will provide no benefits to Kabul.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) signed the memorandum of understanding on cooperation last week, according to reports in the Afghan and Pakistani media.

The development was confirmed by Pakistan’s chief military spokesperson Maj Gen Asim Bajwa on Twitter late on Monday night. He said the MoU includes “(intelligence) sharing, complimentary and coordinated (intelligence operations) on respective sides” but did not give details.

After years of antagonism and accusations, the spy agencies of both countries will now share information, the Pakistani military said, in another sign frosty relations between the neighbours may be gradually thawing.

The announcement came days after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, along with the country’s army chief and the head of the ISI, visited Kabul to step up cooperation in the fight against militants.

Although relations have improved since Afghan president Ashraf Ghani assumed power last September, Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of sheltering militants.

Both sides have toned down their rhetoric in recent months, and president Ghani has sought to reassure Pakistan that Kabul is not working with its archrival India to undermine its interests.

Afghan sources have said that the accord does not need any confirmation or denies by the national Security Council.

The two intelligence agencies would cooperate in counter- terrorism operations, including joint probe of the terrorism suspects, reports said.

Afghan officials have frequently accused Pakistan of harbouring and nurturing Taliban militants.

The accord sealed last week has angered Afghan parliamentarians who in a debate in Wolesi Jirga or lower house had criticised it.

Reported by Nasrat Parsa