What happened: The country’s top espionage agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been officially charged by the prime minister with screening government officials before their induction, appointments, and postings, as well as promotions. The government has thereby given legal cover to a practise that had previously existed but had not been formalised as part of protocol. Here’s why Pakistanis are blasting the government for this decision. 
Details: The ISI and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) both give information about public officials before they are sent on crucial jobs, according to a senior official from the Establishment Division who spoke on the condition of anonymity to Dawn. Despite the notification, the IB will continue to transmit its reports as usual. According to the source, since the government has now given legal effect to ISI reports, they can now be used in courts as a real legal document. What you need to know: It’s worth emphasising that clearance from intelligence agencies is not only an important aspect of the civil service advancement process, but it’s also important in the appointment of judges to the higher judiciary. When a Supreme Court judge is confirmed or elevated, the Pakistani Judicial Commission, led by the top justice, reviews intelligence reports.