On 23 September, the government revealed that Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik will take over as the new Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on 30 September. In a clear departure from established precedent where the announcement usually came from either the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) or the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the government made the current announcement via the state-run PTV News and Radio Pakistan. Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik will succeed Gen Nadeem Anjum who served for three years starting in November 2021 followed by a one year extension in November 2023. 

Who is Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik?
Lt Gen Asim Malik is currently serving as an Adjutant General at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Previously, Gen Malik has commanded the 41st Infantry Division in Balochistan and an Infantry Brigade in Waziristan. Before beginning his military career, he graduated from Pakistan Military Academy’s 80th Long Course and was awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour. Later, he also studied at Fort Leavenworth in the United States and the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Gen Malik has also instructed at the National Defence University, Islamabad and Command and Staff College in Quetta.

According to Dawn, during his current posting as an adjutant general, Gen Malik has overseen investigations into the 9 May arson attacks as well as the controversial case involving former ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Both of these cases, whether with or without merit, have been dubbed as conspiracy cases aimed at incarcerating PTI Founder Imran Khan and other PTI leaders. Hence, the new DG-ISI chief’s involvement in these cases is sure to raise some eyebrows within the opposition, especially the PTI which has alleged systematic repression and targeting both by the ruling coalition and the military. The months long and continuing stand-off between the ruling coalition and PTI has already polarized the country’s political landscape and this appointment might just add fodder to the fire.

Appointment of the new ISI Chief: A smooth transition?
Unlike his predecessor, Lieutenant Malik’s appointment has not witnessed any controversy so far. Earlier, the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum in 2021 by then Prime Minister Imran Khan had been preceded by an alleged three-week standoff between him and the military. The stand-off had followed an announcement by the military in October, 2021 re-appointing the then DG-ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as the Peshawar corps commander and appointing Gen Anjum as the new DG-ISI. Despite this announcement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had refused to notify Gen Anjum’s appointment for almost three weeks leading to speculations about the aforementioned civil-military standoff.

How is the ISI Chief appointed?
The current transition from one DG-ISI to another seems rather smooth. However, given the absence of an official statement by the military or the PMO, this line of thinking can prove to be rather premature. These appointment matters are complicated by the fact that there is no constitutional direction or mention in the Army Act regarding the appointment of the DG-ISI. The usual precedent has been that the army chief suggests three names to the prime minister who then makes the final decision regarding the appointment. This reliance on precedence thus creates space for conflict over the appointment if there is an absence of consensus. Whether it is true for the current appointment will only be revealed in time.

References
Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Gen Asim Malik named new ISI chief,” Dawn, 24 September 2024
Azaz Syed, “Gen Asim Malik appointed first PhD-holding chief of ISI,” The News International, 24 September 2024
Nuzhat Nazar, “Lt-Gen Asim Malik made chief of ISI,” Business Recorder, 24 September 2024
 “Lt Gen Asim Malik appointed new DG ISI: state media,” Dawn, 23 September 2024
Kamran Yousaf, “Lt Gen Asim Malik appointed new DG ISI,” The Express Tribune, 23 September 2024