THE decision to disband the ISI's political wing would be widely welcomed. This would not only strengthen democracy but also allow the ISI to concentrate on its real task, which is to deal with threats to the country's security emanating from external forces hostile to Pakistan, and their local agents. By concentrating on its real task, the agency would improve its image, which has been tarnished on account of its dabbling in politics. The ISI became particularly controversial after a former COAS and ISI chief joined hands to hammer together a nine-party alliance christened the IJI, to stop the PPP from gaining a clear majority in the 1988 elections. Again, a number of politicians belonging to the IJI were supplied funds by the agency ahead of the 1990 elections. Both interventions were supposed to have been undertaken in the "national interest." From 1988 to 1999, the ISI manipulated the political process in a number of ways. Files were opened against politicians not liked by the Establishment and rumours were floated to damage their reputation. Under General Musharraf, the ISI's role became highly intrusive. The agency manipulated the April 2002 referendum, with the result that claims were made of 71 percent turnout and 97.5 percent approval rate, which were against all forecasts. The ISI first fathered the PML(Q) and then cobbled together a pro-Musharraf alliance comprising independents and the PML(Q). After the 2002 polls, it indulged in open horse trading, leading to floor crossing by 13 PPP MNAs, thus helping the PML(Q) to get Mr Zafarullah Jamali elected Prime Minister. Subsequently, the ISI played a leading role in depriving the PPP of its mandate in Sindh, which further tarnished its image. Activities of the sort made many ignore the highly vital role the agency had played in strengthening national security. In February 2007, Air Marshal Asghar Khan called upon the Supreme Court to resume the hearing of his case pertaining to the ISI's distribution of funds among politicians and determine the agency's role in politics. At a time when Pakistan is facing grave external and internal threats to its security, the ISI has to revert to its original role of foiling foreign conspiracies. There is a perception of an Afghanistan-India collusion to make the country disintegrate, which supposedly has the US backing. The increase in terrorist activities, the insurgency in FATA and attacks on government installations and security personnel in Balochistan, have led many to believe that there is a foreign hand behind these. It is time the ISI concentrated all attention on these threats, leaving politics to politicians. Political leaders however need to be reminded that unless they act more responsibly than they did between 1988-99, offstage players can turn the tables against them even without ISI help.