But the fuss around Gul, a notorious publicity hound, obscures the role of a much more significant figure in the conflict, Pakistan’s army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani. This commander led the fight against the Pakistani Taliban last year and has overseen a sharp rise in CIA drone attacks in the tribal belt, which has had the blessing of the ISI. Last week he won an unprecedented three-year extension to his term of office. But many forget that Kayani was also head of the ISI from 2003-2007, when the level of ISI-related reporting in the war logs started to soar. Paradoxically, or perhaps because of this, he is now leading Pakistan efforts to help broker a peace deal with the Taliban.

Afghanistan war logs: whose side is Pakistan on? | World news | The Guardian