Friday, May 20 2005 16:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Rejecting suggestions that a section of ISI was plotting against him, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said the loyalty of the Army and the intelligence agency was beyond reproach.

The State Minister did not seem to know the facts about the two national institutions (Army and ISI) and his remarks reflected his lack of understanding of their functioning," Musharraf's Press Secretary said reacting to an interview by junior Religious Affairs Minister Aamir Liaqat Hussain to an English daily.

The Pakistan Army was the most professional and disciplined outfit, which was also rated amongst the best armies in the world, the Press Secretary was quoted as saying by 'Daily Times'.

Loyalty of all ranks to the country and the leadership was beyond reproach, he said adding the ISI was the most organised and respected intelligence agency of the country and the State Minister's remarks about it were not well founded.

The State Minister is requested to check the facts before commenting on national institutions, the statement said chiding the Minister for his statement.

Besides alleging that there was a powerful "ISI within ISI" working against the President, Hussain, who belongs to Muthahida Quami Movement, also expressed apprehension that there could be a third attempt on Musharraf's life.

"There is an ISI within the ISI, former more powerful than the original. They were the Godfathers of the Taliban who attacked President Musharraf. Only Army personnel can do this. A third attempt on President Musharraf's life is possible." In December 2003, Musharraf escaped two attempts on his life.