Durrani will be punished for "his mistake": ISPR chief

The Pakistan Army has said that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani, will be punished as per the law and the country's Army Act for controversially co-authoring the book "The Spy Chronicles: RAW, ISI And The Illusion Of Peace" with India's former Research and Analysis Wing chief A.S. Dulat.

Interacting with media here on Monday afternoon, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said an inquiry has been ordered against the former ISI chief and outcome of the inquiry will be shared with the media.

"He (Durrani) is retired as a three-star general and you know the circumstances of his retirement - it was premature. He's involved in the Asghar Khan case as well," said Major General Ghafoor, adding that the army is clearly unhappy with what the retired officer had done.

"As soon as the book was published, we took action. We all know why he [Asad Durrani] was kicked out from the Army. He remarked that no one can become angel after wearing the army uniform. He also noted that Durrani's book referred to incidents that took place after his tenure. It was not okay for the retired spy chief to use his experience to comment on matters that happened after his retirement,"said Major General Ghafoor.

"We are all human, we make mistakes. But when you make mistakes, you suffer the consequences. The Pakistan Army has never forgiven any mistake, whether made by a soldier or a general. What will happen to Durrani will be in front of you," he said.

He added that the reason why the forces had reacted so sharply to Durrani's book was because the army does not take violations of its code lightly.

"Had he taken an NOC (no objection certificate) for the book, all of this would not have happened," he said.

(ANI)