Pakistan defence ministry has no control over ISI, Army!

Pakistan has admitted it has no operational control over the army or the Inter-Services Intelligence.

The admission came when the country's defence ministry told the Supreme Court it is not in a position to submit a reply on the Memogate scandal on behalf of the armed forces and the ISI.

Sources told The News that the defence ministry was not in a position to answer on the behalf of Pakistan Army because the government oversees only administrative matters of both institutions.

The reply comes after the Supreme Court had earlier ordered all respondents to file affidavits in the case 'to clear the cobwebs' over the scandal.

The reply has been interpreted as a sign of a rift between the government and the military over the scandal.

ISI chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha also submitted his reply to the court in which he reiterated his earlier stance.

Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated in his reply that the memorandum definitely existed.

President Asif Ali Zardari and former ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani are yet to file affidavits in the case.

"I am not aware of the status. However, it is a legal and constitutional issue which will appropriately be addressed in accordance with the law and the Constitution," The Dawn quoted Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, as saying.

Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif called on Zardari to file a reply in the case.

"Zardari now has an ample and clear opportunity through this petition to clear the name of the allegation internationally levelled against him, but reluctance to take benefit of this opportunity is not understandable," Sharif's rejoinder said.