Pakistan: No political cell within ISI,Pak govt tells SC

The Chief Justice reacted to the officials remarks by saying that a letter submitted to the apex court on June 26,1997 had stated that a political cell was functioning within the ISI.

The official told the court that the Defence Ministry had confirmed the information regarding the political cell with the ISI before submitting its response to the bench. The bench directed the official to submit the ministrys reply after getting it signed by the Defence Secretary. The bench also summoned the Interior and Defence Secretaries to appear before it later in the day.

The court had earlier sought a report from the Interior and Defence Ministries after Attorney General Irfan Qadir told the bench that the notification issued to create the ISIs political cell was missing.

Kayani leaves for Russia

Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday embarked on a three-day visit to Russia,shortly before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov flew into Islamabad for talks with the countrys top leadership.

Kayani is visiting Russia at the invitation of Nikolai Makarov,the Chief of General Staff of Russian armed forces.

Pakistani officials are projecting these contacts as part of efforts to reset the relationship between Islamabad and Moscow ahead of the pullout of foreign troops from Afghanistan. Besides meeting his Russian counterpart,Kayani will hold several meetings with the political leadership in Moscow. He is also expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin,officials said.