KARACHI: Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik will continue serving as the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier spy agency, according to security sources on Monday.
Officials confirmed that “Lt Gen Asim Malik is continuing his services in his present appointment.” He was earlier expected to retire this year. Alongside his ISI role, he also holds the key position of National Security Adviser (NSA).
Appointed as DG ISI in September 2024, Lt Gen Malik succeeded Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum. Interestingly, the announcement of his appointment came through Pakistan Television (PTV) rather than the Prime Minister’s Office or the military’s media wing, as was customary in the past.
In April 2025, the government entrusted him with the additional charge of NSA to strengthen coordination between national security policymaking and its ground implementation.
Widely regarded as one of the Army’s most capable officers, Lt Gen Malik has extensive operational and administrative experience. Before becoming ISI chief, he served as the Adjutant General at GHQ Rawalpindi, managing the Army’s legal, welfare, and disciplinary affairs for three years.
He has commanded both an infantry division in Balochistan and a brigade in South Waziristan, two regions that have long remained central to Pakistan’s security operations.
A Sword of Honour recipient from the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, Lt Gen Malik is an alumnus of Fort Leavenworth, USA, and the Royal College of Defence Studies, UK. His academic and training credentials reflect his deep professional expertise.
He has also served as chief instructor at the National Defence University (NDU) and instructor at the Command and Staff College, Quetta, contributing to the grooming of future military leaders.
Lt Gen Malik is the son of Lt Gen (retd) Ghulam Muhammad Malik, a senior officer who served in the 1990s.
Former defence secretary Lt Gen (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi praised him as a “quiet yet highly respected officer” who worked tirelessly for the welfare of retired soldiers, especially in improving pension and benefit systems.
With his extended tenure, Lt Gen Asim Malik is expected to play a vital role in shaping Pakistan’s national security and intelligence coordination in the months ahead.
