Pak committee recommends monitoring of ISI by parliament

The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights has reportedly has called for an effective monitoring of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency by the parliament.

The committee had approved of the recommendation which called for setting up a bicameral intelligence and security committee to suggest ways of addressing the issue of enforced disappearance of citizens.

According to Dawn, the committee's report calls for the formation of a nine-member committee of parliament to examine matters relating to expenditure, administration and policy of the ISI. None of the members of the committee will be a minister.

The recommendations include prime minister's appointment of the intelligence and security committee in consultation with the leaders of the opposition in both houses of parliament.

The committee has further proposed the option of appointing a retired civil servant of BS22 or equivalent rank in the armed forces by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister.

The report said that the committee allows the DG to authorise in writing an official of the agency not below BS18 to enter any premises to look for an actionable piece of information.

The committee has further recommended that if a member of the agency is found guilty of willful breach or neglect of any rule, the punishments can range from three- to 27-year imprisonment along with fine.