In a rare challenge to Pakistain's powerful generals, the country's Supreme Court yesterday ruled that the military should stop interfering in politics.It was a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court 16 years after retired air marshal Asghar Khan filed a case, accusing the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of doling out money to a group of politicians.
Chief Supreme Court Judge Iftikhar Chaudhry said military intelligence agencies must stay away from politics.
"Such organizations have no role to play in the political activities/politics, for formulation or destabilisation of political governments," he said in the ruling.
"Nor can they facilitate or show favour to a political party or group of political parties or politicians individually in any manner which may lead to his or her success."
It is not clear whether the decision would reduce the military's vast power.
Pakistain has had three bloodless military coups in its history and been ruled by four military rulers.
The late former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan, retired army chief Aslam Baig and retired ISI chief Asad Durrani "acted in violation of the constitution by facilitating a group of politicians and political parties", chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said.
In unusually strong language, it went on to say: "Their acts have brought a bad name to Pakistain and its armed forces as well as secret agencies."