Pakistan’s ISI Losing Control? Exclusive On Likely Changes As India, Afghanistan Boost Ties

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 18:08 IST

Sources said that the ISI may see some important transfer postings in a couple of days

In PoK, grievances have long been of two kinds: the political/institutional and the socio-economic. (AP File)

Pakistan’s premier intel agency Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is losing control over multiple fronts, according to top intelligence sources, who hinted at “major changes" expected in the military establishment.

“The ISI may see some important transfer postings in a couple of days. The main person who is dealing local politics is called DG-C. Major General Faisal Naseer, who is holding the post for three years, is likely to be transferred soon," said sources.

The ISI has always supported and funded Deoband stronghold Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). “However, after four years, it has now pushed for a shift in position and policy towards Afghan Taliban," said sources.

The current visit by Afghan Taliban FM Amir Khan Muttaqi’s to India is a big failure of Pakistan’s ISI. He is on a visit till October 16 to reinforce Afghanistan-India relations, address pressing trade and infrastructure concerns, and discuss regional security dynamics.

Hours after Afghanistan claimed killing 58 Pakistani soldiers in a retaliatory operation, the Taliban-ruled nation’s foreign minister on Sunday said Kabul wants a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict with Islamabad but if the peace efforts don’t succeed, then it has “other means". In a firm message to Islamabad from New Delhi, Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghanistan is fiercely united in confronting any “external invasion" and that any violation of its sovereignty will not be tolerated. As the fresh fighting between the two sides broke out following a Pakistani air strike in Kabul on Thursday.

“The ISI has lost control in Kabul too. Muttaqi visited Deoband in India which is major shift in the Afghan Taliban policy. Not only this, Muttaqi even recognised Kashmir as India’s integral part. These developments have given Taliban’s clear message to Rawalpindi an Islamabad in one go," sources said.

Moreover, religious party Tehreek-e-Labaik TLP (Bralvi) is also out of its hands. “The TLP always played for ISI to pressurise past governments of Nawaz Sharif in 2017 and Imran Khan’s government in 2021. Today, the TLP has turned against the ISI and didn’t obey its order to retreat on Gaza Long March towards Islamabad. That finally resulted in the Muridke massacre," sources said.

“Pakistan’s ISI is facing an unprecedented collapse of influence over both its Deobandi-Taliban-TTP and Barelvi-TLP networks," said top Indian intelligence sources, adding, “This is a direct blow to its long-standing religious leverage doctrine."

The Taliban’s open recognition of Kashmir as India’s integral part marks a major defeat for Rawalpindi’s hybrid warfare machinery, sources said.

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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