ISLAMABAD: Lieutenant (Lt) General Rizwan Akhtar has been appointed as the new chief of Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in a major reshuffle in the army, which also saw the promotion of six major generals to the rank of lieutenant generals.
The chief military spokesperson, Major General Asim Salim Bajwa, confirmed on Monday through his twitter account that former Director General Sindh Rangers General Rizwan Akhar, after being elevated to the rank of Lt General, will replace the incumbent DG ISI Lt General Zaheerul Islam, who is set to retire in October.
Akhtar will assume his responsibilities on November 8.
Promotion to rank of Lieutenant Gens:Maj Gens Rizwan Akhtar,Hilal Hussain,Ghayur Mahmood,Nazir Butt,Navid Mukhtar,Hidayat Ur Rehman.Total-6
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 22, 2014
Postings:MG Rizwan to DGISI,Hidayat to Psr Corps,Navid Mukhtar to Kci Corps,Hilal Hussain-Mangla,Ghayur Mahmood-Gujranwala,Nazir Butt-C&IT
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 22, 2014
The newly appointed DG ISI, a graduate of the Command and Staff College Quetta, NDU Islamabad and the War Course in USA, was commissioned in the Frontier Force Regiment in September 1982. He has commanded an Infantry Brigade and Division in FATA and also remained DG Rangers Sindh.
The post of DG ISI is considered to be the most powerful after the army chief. The appointment of the new ISI chief was being closely watched in view of speculations that the outgoing spymaster might be behind the ongoing anti-government protests in Islamabad.
Technically, the appointment of the ISI chief is the prerogative of the prime minister, but the announcement made by ISPR appears to suggest it was army chief General Raheel Sharif who prevailed in this key appointment.
Other major generals who have been promoted to the rank of Lt General include Hilal Hussain, Ghayur Mahmood, Nazir Butt, Navid Mukhtar and Hidayat Ur Rehman.
Lt General Hidayatur Rehman, Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, Lt General Ghayur Mahmood, Lt General Hilal Hussain and Lt General Nazir Butt. PHOTOS: ISPR
These promotions came ahead of the retirement of five three-star officers in October including DG ISI, corps commanders of Mangla, Karachi, Gujranwala and Peshawar.
According to the DG ISPR, Lt General Hidayatur Rehman has been appointed as corps commander Peshawar, Lt General Naveed Mukhtar as Corps Commander Karachi, Lt General Hilal Hussain as Corps Commander Mangla, Lt General Ghayur Mahmood as Corps Commander Gujranwala while Lt General Nazir Butt has been appointed as Inspector General Commutation and Information Technology.
COMMENTS (36)
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I hope to Allah new DG isi will make peace ful our country.
Best of luck Lt.General. my prayers are with u.. and i have a suggestion for u.. we, as a nation expects from u to Eradicate the war of Sectarianism. And do find the real persons who r ding this act....
God Bless u Best Regards, Muhammad Tqi@Najib: NO! Gen Raheel followed his conscience, the call of his duty, and the Constitution. Please refrain from making uncalled for and unjust accusations. It is becoming quite fashionable to accuse anyone, no matter who, without any evidence and that is wrong, absolutely wrong.
General Raheel sold out to Nawaz and returning favor to him for making him the chief. General Rizwan, please follow your conscious rather than blindly following your boss.
v.good 4 country' positive man at rite place reached as DG ISI.
@Shahid - "His performance in Karachi left a lot to be desired. He was unable to control law and order in one city so how will he manage this key position."
Has anybody ever checked the performance of any spy agency or its chief. There are a lot of variables and grey areas in this job profile. In fact, this is one position where he can have his cake and eat it too - power with means to deflect responsibility.
I want to my new spy to great man and do for the country only not for harmai political man
Nawaz make again to make left and right that is not tight for Hussain I am very happy
If Nawaz had made the final selection then I am sure this guy is "yes sir" mindset and will likely fade into mediocrity as soon as he assumes the position. Nawaz may benefit personnely but at a loss to the country
this is of oh great, blessed news for us poor downtrodden people of karachi. now finally a important person in islamabad will taken interest in helping ppl of karachi from daily terrorizing from political parties.
Congrats to Rizwan Akhtar Sahib
I hope new team will eradicate culture of conspiracies against democracy in this country.Very bad days are coming for touts and their collaborators trying to create rift between civil- military relationship to pave way for fascist state. This group of conspirators include some ex servicemen media persons and third tier politicians desperately willing to grab power by hook or by crook. No more dharnas no more agitations no more blackmails.Go ahead Nawaz Sharif.
@ishrat salim: I agree.
Good luck boss. Hope to see you true dedeicated spy master for Pakistan and its nation only. All Pakistanis would like to see you somewhat different from Gul Hameed, Psha and Zaheer Islam. Our prayers are with you and Pak Army
@Shahid: Must be from Sharif's family ;-)
@Shahid: No one can control any one in Karachi as long as PPP / MQM are in power....unless, of course possible, if Karachi is handed over to the Army for complete clean up. That is why no one supports Army in Karachi...
Congratulation, Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar
Go Imran Go
@SK: Till the time when Gen Rizwan was performing as DG Rangers operation was very successful, after his role change situation get worst :-(
No better way to announce his arrival than by causing some mayhem in the eastern sector. Watch out !!
Again PMLN took a decision without merit.
He is suited for the job being a hypocrit.
Geo's next Target
Should a democracy even care about who is heading a spy agency?
Go nawaz GO
Nawaz Sharif always take hasty decision promoting juniors to senior most position ignoring merit and seniority for his personal benefits. Army should send him back to Jeddah.
So finally Nawaz League wants some solution before 26 Sept session, but their problem is that they have totally miscalculated the whole episode. They think it was all about this new appointment in agency. But I don't think so it is like that, Mian Sb will have to face humiliation outside General Assembly in New York on Sept 26. But still I welcome atleast he has finally showed willingness to end the crisis as per his own interpretation.
His performance in Karachi left a lot to be desired. He was unable to control law and order in one city so how will he manage this key position.
Nawaz Sharif kicked in face. GO NAWAZ GO
Welcome to the politics!
Also , please hand over Imran Farooq killers to UK. Do not use them as leverage to control MQM
Sir, you have a lot of work to gain back credibility.
Please do NOT follow footsteps of notorious pasha and Zaheer . Do NOT try to close down TV channels . Do NOT create disturbance in politics by supporting miscreants like TuQ and IK. Do NOT create a strom when you retire - no one is above the country .
Congratulation, Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar ! appointed as a NEW Spy Master of Pakistan. Long Live Pakistan Armed Forces - Inter Services Intelligence
Since he had done (no) wonders in Karachi in the past couple of years as DG Rangers, I am sure he will prove to be as ineffective in his new post as well
Congrats to 'the Boss'. Good luck!