Who is the new chief of Pakistan spy agency ISI?

Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik, who is currently serving as the army's adjutant general, would take over on September 30 as the chief of the ISI.

Lt Gen Malik, currently serving as Director General of Pakistan's spy agency – Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), will hold the additional charge of the NSA. (Photo: X/@malikaliiraza)

Pakistan’s top spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is set to get a new head. Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik will be replacing Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the new Director General of ISI, according to state-run media.

Anjum was appointed in 2021 by the then-Prime minister Imran Khan and was later given an extension of one year, Pakistani daily Dawn reported. Malik’s appointment comes at a critical time for the agency after one former spy chief and alleged Imran Khan confidant, Lt General Faiz Hameed, was arrested, raising questions on the agency’s political role. The jailed ex-PM alleged that the ISI and Pakistan Army plotted his arrest under Gen Nadeem.

Malik, who is currently serving as the army’s adjutant general, would take over on September 30 as the chief of the ISI.

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Who is Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik?

Malik was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in October 2021 alongside being made the Adjutant General. His military career encompasses serving in the Balochistan infantry division and commanding an infantry brigade in Waziristan, PTV News stated. Malik has so far not commanded a corps division, said Dawn.

A graduate of Fort Leavenworth in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, the new spy chief was also awarded a Sword of Honour, an award given to the best cadet at the Pakistan Military Academy.

Moreover, Malik has also served as an instructor at the National Defence University in Islamabad and at the Command and Staff College Quetta.

How is the chief of ISI picked?

The post of ISI chief is considered of high importance and power. Usually picked from a currently serving Army officer, the position lies at the cross section of domestic politics, security and foreign relations.

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While the ISI chief technically reports to the prime minister, he is controlled by Pakistan’s Army, which has had its influence in the country’s politics for more than 77 years of its existence.

The procedure for the appointment of the ISI DG is not specified in Pakistan’s Constitution or the Army Act of the country, according to Dawn. All previous appointments have been made after three favourable names are recommended by the Army chief to the Prime Minister, who takes the final call.