Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik will continue as the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence, the country’s premier intelligence agency, security sources said on Monday.
“Lt Gen Asim Malik is continuing his services in his present appointment,” security sources said. Lt Gen Malik, who also serves as the National Security Advisor (NSA), was due to retire later this year.
He was appointed DG ISI in September 2024, replacing Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum.
The appointment was announced by state-run Pakistan Television (PTV), whereas such high-profile appointments were previously announced by the Prime Minister’s Office or the military’s media wing.
He was given the additional charge of national security adviser in April 2025 by the government in order to “ensure greater coordination between national security policymaking and its on-ground implementation.”
Lt Gen Malik is regarded as one of the Pakistan Army’s most capable officers, particularly in operational command roles. Before taking office, he served as the Adjutant General at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, overseeing military administrative affairs, including legal and disciplinary matters, for three years.
He has commanded an infantry division in Balochistan and an infantry brigade in South Waziristan -both regions that have remained focal points of security challenges for nearly two decades.
He was a recipient of the prestigious Sword of Honour at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul – an honour given to the best all-around gentleman cadet, lady cadet, or aviation cadet of a graduating course.
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. He has served as chief instructor at the National Defence University (NDU) and as an instructor at the Command and Staff College in Quetta.
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.