ISLAMABAD: The tenure of Lieutenant General Asim Malik as Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been officially prolonged, according to the national broadcaster on Monday.
Malik, who also holds the position of Pakistan’s National Security Adviser (NSA), will continue to lead the influential intelligence agency. The exact duration of his extended appointment has not been disclosed in the official statement.
The Ministry of Defence announced that Malik formally took over as ISI chief on September 30, 2024. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Adjutant General at the General Headquarters (GHQ) for about a year.
An alumnus of the 80th Long Course of the Pakistan Army, Malik was awarded the Sword of Honour an accolade given to the top cadet of each graduating class. Hailing from the renowned Baloch Regiment, he has built a distinguished career marked by leadership roles in some of Pakistan’s most volatile regions.
His previous commands include leading an infantry brigade in Waziristan and an infantry division in Balochistan, regions that have long experienced insurgencies and militant activity. Beyond combat roles, Malik has contributed significantly to military education, serving as Chief Instructor at the National Defence University and as an instructor at the Command and Staff College in Quetta positions instrumental in grooming future military leaders.
A scholar-soldier, Malik holds a PhD in International Relations from Pakistan’s National Defence University, with a particular focus on US-Pakistan relations. His academic background is complemented by training at prestigious institutions such as Fort Leavenworth in the US and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK.
His career also includes key operational roles at the Military Operations Directorate, which is central to strategic planning within the army. Malik was promoted to Lieutenant General on October 6, 2021, reflecting his steady rise through Pakistan’s military ranks.
Sources within Rawalpindi confirmed that Malik will continue to oversee Pakistan’s intelligence operations amid regional challenges. His extensive experience in Waziristan and Balochistan, areas currently witnessing heightened militant activity, underscores the importance of his leadership during this critical period.
