Lt Gen Asim Malik to take charge as new ISI Chief today

Gen Malik currently serves as an adjutant general at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi

Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik is set to take charge as the new Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) today, succeeding Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, as reported by Express News.

Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, 59, is recognised as one of the Pakistan Army's most capable officers, particularly in operational command.

Before this appointment, he served as the Adjutant General at the army's general headquarters, overseeing military administrative affairs, including legal and disciplinary matters, for the past three years.

He has commanded an infantry division in Balochistan and an infantry brigade in South Waziristan, areas that have been focal points of security challenges for nearly two decades.

He is also a recipient of the prestigious Sword of Honour, awarded to the top cadet in his course.

His academic achievements include serving as Chief Instructor at the National Defence University (NDU) and as an instructor at the Command and Staff College in Quetta.

Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik is the son of retired Lieutenant General Ghulam Muhammad Malik, who held prominent positions during his career in the 1990s.

A graduate of Fort Leavenworth in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the UK, Lt Gen Malik has also held key positions in the Military Operations Directorate.

Retired Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi described him as a quiet yet highly respected officer.

"Even as the Adjutant General, he did substantial work for the welfare of retired soldiers, particularly concerning pensions and other related issues," Gen Nadeem Lodhi said.

Gen Asim Malik's tenure as Adjutant General coincided with significant political events, including the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and subsequent unrest.

Following Imran's detention, supporters of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), engaged in protests that led to damage to public property and military installations.

A former colleague noted that Malik's new role underscores the strong confidence the military leadership has in him.

The ISI, founded in 1948, is Pakistan's premier intelligence agency.

While officially reporting to the Prime Minister, the agency often plays a significant role in the country's political and security affairs.