Pakistan names ISI chief Asim Malik as National Security Adviser
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Islamabad: In a significant development amid escalating tensions with India, Pakistan has appointed its current intelligence chief, Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik, as the country’s new National Security Adviser (NSA).
According to an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday, Lt Gen Malik, who currently serves as the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), will hold the NSA position as an additional charge.
“Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik HI (M), DG (I), shall hold the additional charge of the National Security Adviser, with immediate effect,” the notification stated.
Appointed as ISI chief in October 2024, Malik now becomes Pakistan’s tenth NSA. This is the first time in the country's history that a serving ISI Director General has been assigned the role of National Security Adviser concurrently, marking a notable shift in Pakistan’s national security approach.
The dual appointment comes in the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, on April 22, which claimed 26 lives and has sharply raised tensions between the two nations.
The NSA post had remained vacant since April 2022, following the ousting of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government. At the time, Dr Moeed Yusuf had been serving as the last NSA before the position lapsed into inactivity.
Lt Gen Malik’s new role is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s internal and regional security policymaking, especially at a time when diplomatic and security challenges are intensifying in South Asia.
With PTI inputs
