Lt Gen Asim Malik to continue as DG ISI

Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General Asim Malik, will continue to serve in his position despite his scheduled retirement on October 4.

The decision effectively extends his tenure as the head of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency.

Sources close to the development revealed that Lt Gen Malik, who was due to retire on October 4, has been asked to continue his responsibilities as DG ISI for the time being.

Asim Malik also holds the portfolio of Pakistan's tenth National Security Advisor (NSA). 

Lt Gen Asim Malik, a senior military officer with extensive experience in operational command, was appointed as the DG ISI in September 2024 to oversee one of the most critical institutions responsible for national security, counterterrorism, and strategic intelligence operations.

His tenure has been marked by efforts to strengthen internal security mechanisms and enhance coordination among various intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

The reported extension suggests continuity in key intelligence leadership at a time when Pakistan faces complex regional security challenges.

The move is being viewed as a sign of confidence in Lt Gen Malik’s performance and leadership by the country’s top military command.

An official statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) is expected soon to formally confirm the extension and provide details regarding the duration of his continued service.

Malik was commissioned in the 12th Baloch Regiment in 1989, winning the Sword of Honour of the 80th PMA Long Course.

Malik served as the Chief Instructor at the National Defence University in Islamabad and as an instructor at the Pakistan Command and Staff College in Quetta.

Throughout his military career, he has been part of the Baloch Regiment. As a major general, he led the 41st Infantry Division in Balochistan and commanded an Infantry Brigade in Waziristan.

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

 In October 2021, during his tenure as a Major General, Malik was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General and was appointed to the position of Adjutant General (AG) at GHQ, Rawalpindi, by then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In his role as AG of the Pakistan Army, Lt. Gen. Malik handled the investigation into the May 9 riots and was believed to have initiated and overseen the court martial proceedings of former DG ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who faced military trial on charges of corruption and breaches of military discipline following his retirement.

On 23 September 2024, Malik was appointed to succeed Nadeem Anjum as the Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI), with his term beginning on 30 September 2024.

 Although Malik has limited experience in intelligence-specific roles, his appointment came at a time of political instability, rising militancy, and heightened public attention on the ISI.

Sources within military circles indicated that Malik shares a strong connection with COAS Asim Munir, who views him as a trusted confidant.

Both are the recipients of the prestigious Sword of Honour when they graduated from their respective cadet courses before induction as junior officers of the Pakistan Army.

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

Lt Gen (retd) 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,” Lodhi added.