ISLAMABAD, 6 October 2007 — Retired Lt. Gen. Hamid Gul looked at the piece of the Berlin Wall attached to a wooden plaque on his wall. The artifact from the Cold War era was a gift to the former head of Pakistan’s intelligence service, the ISI, by the German government.
“I am really proud to see this piece,” the retired lieutenant general who headed the powerful intelligence agency told Arab News in an interview. “It reminds me of how we defeated the Soviets and how Soviet Union was dismembered. The German government awarded me with this piece of Berlin Wall and lauded my services,” he said.
Gul wasn’t just a causal observer of Soviet expansion into Central Asia; he played an instrumental role in drumming up support for the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan against the Soviet invaders. Later, as ISI chief, he worked closely with Western intelligence agencies during the twilight years of the USSR. The relations went sour after what he saw as an American betrayal of Afghanistan after 9/11.
Gul spoke about the recent developments in Pakistani politics. He spoke about the power-sharing deal between President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and former Premier Benazir Bhutto.
The interview took place before the breakthrough on a power-sharing agreement that would include dropping corruption charges against the former prime minister. But even before these events unfolded, Gul had no doubt that a deal would emerge.
“I know the minds of the two people. I served in Benazir government as director general of the ISI and Musharraf was my subordinate,” he said. “To be frank: It’s Musharraf who needs the support of Benazir. Time is on her side and not on Musharraf’s side.”
Hamid Gul said, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam had repeatedly requested Washington to make him the prime minister of Pakistan saying he would deliver.”
With a pause, Gul said, “It would take a long time for his request to be considered because the Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal government in NWFP of which JUI is a component party has intensified Talebanization drive, which in my view is good but not in the larger national interest.”
On the unfolding political situation, Gul said, “Let Musharraf get re-elected and let the Supreme Court give its final verdict, there will be new political alliances and adjustments.”
He agreed that the current ruling party has no popular support and added that the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was against an arrangement between Benazir and Musharraf. But it was the requirement for Pakistan, which is a major non-NATO ally, he added.
He said Benazir and her party suits the West and the USA and not the extremist elements.
Gul said, “The problem of Afghanistan demands political approach and not a military solution.”
About the appointment of Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Kiani as the new army chief-designate, Gul said Kiani is an above-average soldier and in the present circumstances the most suitable person to head the army.
