WJ to summon top security officials to Parliament

Afghanistan Wolesi Jirga (WJ) – the lower house of Parliament said on Monday to summon National Security advisor, National Directorate Security Chief and deputy of national security for the signing of NDS_ISI accord.

It has been said that an accord between Afghanistan National Directorate Security (NDS) and Pakistan Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) has been signed on intelligence sharing and coordinated operations; a move criticized by Afghan lawmakers who said the pact will provide no benefits to Kabul.

Parliament representatives voiced that those who deal on the treaty in secret should bring to justice.

They said this move by the government means compromising the pride and achievements of Afghans to their long-term enemy—Pakistan.

Commissions on defense affairs, internal security and international relations on Monday session presented their reports on signing of NDS-ISI accord.

They said that the agreement has been signed between both sides and manipulations were also brought into the context of the treaty.

The MoU between NDS and ISI faced vehement criticism from inside and outside the country.

However, Afghanistan’s spy agency said the recent accord signed with Pakistan’s ISI for sharing of intelligence and coordinated operations was “not practical” and the deal will be reviewed by a panel of experts.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the recent memorandum of understanding signed with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was not practical and that it will come under review by a panel of experts who will report directly to President Ashraf Ghani.

Last week, Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai has also expressed serious concerns at the signing of the cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan spy agencies; urging the country’s leadership to immediately declare the agreement null and void.

Karzai said Afghanistan should desist signing agreements that are against Afghanistan’s national interests.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused each other of sheltering Taliban militants, but ties have warmed since Ashraf Ghani succeeded Karzai in September last.
Reported by Abdul Aziz Karimi