General Malik is set to assume his new responsibilities on September 30. Notably, the announcement was made through PTV, which marks a shift from the usual protocol where such significant appointments are typically declared by the Prime Minister's Office or the military's media division.
The previous appointment of the DG ISI had escalated into a significant civil-military crisis when then-Prime Minister Imran Khan asserted he was not consulted before the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) named the new intelligence chief. Imran had maintained that the authority to appoint the new ISI chief rested with him.
A compromise was eventually reached, resulting in the appointment of General Bajwa's nominee as the ISI chief, although the prime minister conducted interviews with three candidates for the prestigious position. Imran had opposed the transition at the ISI, believing that the incumbent, Lt General Faiz Hameed, should remain due to the evolving situation in neighboring Afghanistan. However, General Bajwa was firm that retaining General Faiz would disrupt the entire army's transfer and posting system.
The relationship between the civil government and the military suffered a significant setback amid the conflict over the ISI chief's appointment.
In contrast to the turmoil witnessed three years ago, the transition from Lt General Nadeem was handled smoothly. The government opted to announce the change through PTV, putting an end to weeks of speculation regarding the new DG ISI.
Lt Gen Asim Malik will succeed Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, who has led the ISI for nearly three years, having been appointed DG ISI in November 2021 and granted a year-long extension in November 2023.
The new spymaster is currently the Adjutant General at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. As AG, primarily responsible for maintaining discipline within the army, he has likely overseen ongoing court martial proceedings against Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, who is currently facing military trial on charges of corruption and breaches of army discipline following his retirement.
General Malik is a recipient of the Sword of Honour from his military course.
He was promoted to the rank of Lt General in October 2021 by then-army chief General Bajwa and has served at GHQ since then. Consequently, he would not be among the potential generals considered for the army chief position in November 2025, provided the current chief does not receive an extension.
Throughout his military career, General Malik has served in the Balochistan infantry division and commanded an infantry brigade in Waziristan, according to PTV News.
The new DG ISI has also held the position of chief instructor at the National Defence University in Islamabad and has served as an instructor at the Command and Staff College in Quetta.
He is an alumnus of Fort Leavenworth in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.
The role of ISI chief is pivotal given Pakistan's internal and external challenges. The DG ISI frequently finds himself in the spotlight due to allegations surrounding the intelligence agency's involvement in domestic politics.
Theoretically, the DG ISI reports to the prime minister; however, as he is an army officer, the army chief typically wields greater influence over him.
