*ISLAMABAD – Former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat has defended Gen Asad Durrani andsaid action against the former DG ISI in Pakistan is unfortunate andregretful.*
“We are open to criticism but the action against General Sahib isunfortunate,” A.S Dulat said, while talking to SAMAA anchorperson NadeemMalik.
“General Sahib had already said several times what has been written in thebook.”
Mr. Dulat said General (retired) Durrani didn’t reveal anything new in thebook, neither did he offend anyone. “What’s happening with him in Pakistanis regretful.”
The former R&AW chief said that he and General Durrani were only talkingabout peace. “Does Pakistan not want peace?”
He advised the Indian government to invite Pakistan’s army chief GeneralQamar Javed Bajwa to Delhi for talks.
Mr. Dulat said Pakistan and India should resolve all the issues throughtalks. “Pakistan’s PM is always welcome in India.”
According to a tweet by the DG ISPR, competent authorities have beenapproached to place Durrani’s name on the Exit-Control List.
The former ISI chief was summoned to the GHQ where he was asked to give aclarification about the controversial book, The Spy Chronicles: ISI, RAWand the Illusion of Peace that he co-authored with ex-R&AW chief A.S Dulat.
The book deals with sensitive topics ranging from Hafiz Saeed to the Mumbaiattacks and even the Abbottabad operation. The book also focuses on theoperations conducted by the ISI and R&AW.
The book is in the format of a conversation between the two formerspymasters who go to great lengths to give their analysis. However, thediscussion of certain national security issues has irked some people inPakistan who have questioned Gen (r) Durrani’s act of discussing what couldbe called state secrets in public.
On May 22, DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted that the former DG ISIwould be asked to explain his position on views attributed to him in thebook. Durrani’s views were taken as a violation of the military code ofconduct applicable on all serving and retired military personnel.