Security sources confirmed on Monday that Lieutenant-General Muhammad Asim Malik would continue his services in his current appointment.
Lieutenant-General Malik, who was to retire this year, is currently a national security advisor and director general of the Inter-service Intelligence (ISI).
Read: LT Gen Asim Malik takes care of as a new head of the ISI today
Earlier in September 2024, Lieutenant-General Muhammad Asim Malik was appointed new director general of the Inter-service Intelligence (ISI), as announced by the government through Pakistani television led by the State (PTV).
The new spy chief was to take charge of his role on September 30. In particular, the announcement of his appointment was made by PTV, a departure from previous training, because such large -scale appointments were generally announced by the Prime Minister’s office or the army media wing.
Lieutenant-General Muhammad Asim Malik, 59, is considered one of the most competent officers in the Pakistani army, in particular in operational command.
Before this appointment, he was general Warrant Officer at the General Headquarters of the Army (GHQ), supervising military administrative affairs, including legal and disciplinary issues in the past three years.
He ordered an infantry division in Balutchistan and an infantry brigade in southern Waziristan, the two regions which have been focal points of security challenges for almost two decades.
He is also a recipient of the prestigious sword of honor, awarded to the high cadet of his course.
Its academic history include the chief instructor service at the National Defense University (NDU) and as an instructor at the Command and Staff College, Quetta.
Lieutenant-General Muhammad Asim Malik is the son of Lieutenant-General Retired Ghulam Muhammad Malik, who held important positions during his career in the 1990s.
A graduate of Fort Leavenworth (United States) and the Royal College of Defense Studies (United Kingdom), Malik also held key positions in the direction of military operations.
Lieutenant-general retired Naeem Khalid Lodhi described him as a “calm but very respected officer”.
“Even as a general degree, he did substantial work for the well-being of retired soldiers, in particular concerning pensions and other related questions,” said Gen Lodhi.
The mandate of General Asim Malik as a general officer coincided with the main political events, in particular the arrest of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan and subsequent disorders.
After the detention of Imran, supporters of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI), organized demonstrations that led to damage to public goods and military facilities.
A former colleague noted that Malik’s new role underlines the strong confidence that military leadership has in him.
Founded in 1948, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) remains the first intelligence agency in Pakistan.
