Pakistan appoints Lt Gen Asim Malik as National Security Advisor

In a significant development following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Pakistan government has appointed Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik as the country’s new National Security Advisor (NSA), while he continues to serve as the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The official notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday confirmed that Malik will hold the NSA position with immediate effect, in addition to his current role as ISI chief.

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Asim Malik, who reportedly assumed the ISI leadership in September 2024, becomes the 10th individual to hold the NSA post in Pakistan. However, this marks the first time a serving ISI chief has been entrusted with both responsibilities simultaneously. The NSA position had remained unfilled since April 2022, following the exit of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government. The last person to hold the post was Dr Moeed Yusuf.

According to Pakistani media and analysts, the dual role is expected to strengthen coordination between military intelligence and national security policymaking. Asim Malik is now seen as a key figure in shaping Pakistan's national security strategy at a time of heightened regional tension, especially with fears of a possible military response from India following the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead in Jammu and Kashmir.