Imran Khan, once a critic of ISI, now claims it’s the best intelligence agency of all

AASTHA SINGH

Imran visits ISI HQ and heaps praise on it, gets called out for doublespeak

Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a visit to the headquarters of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Wednesday and was received by army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lieutenant-General Naveed Mukhtar, director general of the ISI.

ISI stands out as word’s best intelligence agency: PM Imran Khan.

Wait, what? pic.twitter.com/k3EgDdNS0A

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During the meeting, Khan said: “ISI is our first line of defence and stands out as the best intelligence agency of the world.”

Imran Khan was given an eight-hour long briefing on matters of strategic intelligence and national security. He reportedly also laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada, the agency’s martyr monument, and offered Fateha (reading of verses from Quran).

The prime minister also lauded ISI’s contributions towards securing the country’s security, especially in reference to anti-terrorism efforts. He added that the armed forces and the intelligence agencies had the backing of the government as well as the people of Pakistan.

Soon after his comments, an old video surfaced, which shows Imran attacking the role of ‘agencies’ in running the country. He can be heard accusing agencies of bringing only those to the top who can be controlled, and also levelling charges against these agencies of manipulating elections.