PAKISTAN has appointed its spy chief Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik as the new National Security Adviser (NSA), marking the first time a serving head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) will concurrently hold both crucial security positions.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Lt Gen Malik has been formally tasked with the NSA role with immediate effect. The official statement read: "Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik HI (M), DG (I), shall hold the additional charge of the National Security Adviser, with immediate effect."
The appointment comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with heightened tensions between Pakistan and India following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, predominantly tourists.
The NSA position had remained vacant since April 2022, when the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was ousted from power. Dr Moeed Yusuf was serving as the NSA at that time.
Lt Gen Malik becomes Pakistan's tenth National Security Adviser, having been appointed as director general of the ISI just seven months ago.
Born into a Punjabi Awan family with ancestral roots in Shahpur, Sargodha District, Punjab province, Malik is the son of retired Lt Gen Ghulam Muhammad Malik. His military journey began at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), where he was part of the 80th Long Course and graduated as the recipient of the prestigious Sword of Honour.
Commissioned into the 12th Baloch Regiment of the Pakistan Army in 1989, Lt Gen Malik is recognised as an exceptionally educated officer within Pakistan's military establishment. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Balochistan in 1999 and subsequently furthered his education with studies at Fort Leavenworth in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.
Notably, he holds a PhD in US-Pakistan relations from Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU), making him the first doctorate holder to lead the ISI.
Throughout his career, Lt Gen Malik has held several significant positions. As a brigadier, he commanded an Infantry Brigade in the turbulent Waziristan region. Upon promotion to major general, he led the 41st Infantry Division in Balochistan.
His expertise has been utilised in various capacities, including service in the Military Operations Directorate at General Headquarters, as an instructor at the Pakistan Command and Staff College in Quetta, and as chief instructor at the National Defence University in Islamabad.
Prior to his ISI appointment, Lt Gen Malik served as adjutant general at General Headquarters, where he notably oversaw the case against former ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.
His tenure in this role coincided with the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the subsequent violent protests, including the 9 May arson attacks, investigations into which were overseen by Malik. Last September, he succeeded Nadeem Anjum as director general of ISI.
(with inputs from PTI)
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