Pakistan has announced Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik’s name as the country’s new National Security Adviser (NSA). He is the current head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The new appointment comes at a time of heightened tensions with India following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 lives were lost.
As per an official notification issued by Pakistan’s Cabinet’s Division on Tuesday, Lt Gen Malik will serve on the NSA post as an additional charge along with his current post as ISI Director General. The order mentioned, ”Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik HI (M), DG (I), shall hold the additional charge of the National Security Adviser, with immediate effect,” as quoted by PTI.
All about Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik
General Malik has worked on several major positions including an infantry brigade in Wazirstan and an infantry division in Balochistan. He has also worked on the post of chief instructor at the National Defence University (NDU) and as a faculty member at the Command and Staff College in Quetta. He is an alumnus of Fort Leavenworth of the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies of the United Kingdom. He has extensive experience as well as knowledge in the field of military.
First ISI chief to hold dual responsibility
Let Gen Malik’s dual appointment marks the first time a serving ISI chief has been given an additional responsibility of being the NSA. With this appointment he became the country’s tenth National Security Adviser.
Pakistan claims India will take military actions
General Malik was appointed to head the ISI in October 2024. The post of the National Security Adviser had remained vacant for over two years. Earlier, the post was held by Dr Moeed Yusuf, who stepped down after the ouster of the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government in April 2022. The decision to fill the long vacant position comes as Pakistan is facing increased scrutiny on cross-border terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also alleged that India may initiate military actions within next 24-36 hours, as per their intelligence sources. Pakistan has also warned that nay such move would have consequences. The statement came just after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with top defence officials has granted the armed forces full operational freedom.
(With inputs from PTI)