Pakistan appoints ISI chief as new national security advisor

It marks the first time an ISI chief has been selected to the head of the country’s national security

Muhammad Asim Malik

The Pakistani government has appointed the incumbent director general of the country’s flagship intelligence agency, Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, as its national security advisor (NSA).

Malik, who became head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in September, 2024, is now Pakistan’s 10th NSA, reports Dawn on Thursday.

It marks the first time an ISI chief has been appointed as the NSA.

A notification issued by Pakistan’s Cabinet Division on Tuesday said that Malik would retain his role as ISI chief, according to the report.

Malik has been elevated to the position amid heightened security tensions with India following the recent militant attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

The NSA office plays a key role in shaping Pakistan's strategic direction, coordinating national security policy, and advising the prime minister on internal and external security affairs.

Since the ousting of former prime minister Imran Khan in April 2022, the position had been vacant.

The advisor also heads the National Security Division, based at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in Islamabad.