Asim Malik

Muhammad Asim Malik, is a Pakistani three-star general and the current Director-General of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), a position he has held since 30 September 2024. He is the first PhD holder to be appointed Director-General of the ISI. He is also first ISI chief to be appointed 10th National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan since 2025.

Early life and education

Malik was born to Lt. Gen. (R.) Ghulam Muhammad Malik into a Punjabi Awan family with their ancestral roots in Shahpur, a city located in the Sargodha District of the Punjab province.

Malik earned his BSc (Hons) from the University of Balochistan in 1999 and then studied at Fort Leavenworth in the United States, where he has written thesis on Mountain Warfare titled as the ''Mountain Warfare: The Need for Specialist Training.'' Malik also attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. Additionally, Malik obtained the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) on the US-Pakistan relations from the National Defence University. He was a graduate of the Pakistan Military Academy's 80th Long Course and was the recipient of the Sword of Honour during his course.

Military career

Command, staff and instructional assignments

Malik was commissioned in the 12th Baloch Regiment in 1989, winning sword of honour of 80th PMA Long Course.

Malik served as the Chief Instructor at the National Defence University in Islamabad and as an instructor at the Pakistan Command and Staff College in Quetta.

Throughout his military career, he has been part of the Baloch Regiment. As a major general, he led the 41st Infantry Division in Balochistan and commanded an Infantry Brigade in Waziristan. He has also worked in the Military Operations Directorate as a Brigadier (Director-Military Operations).

Elevation to Adjutant-General (AG)

In October 2021, during his tenure as a Major General, Malik was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General and was appointed to the position of Adjutant General (AG) at GHQ, Rawalpindi by then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In his role as AG of the Pakistan Army, Lt. Gen. Malik handled the investigation into the May 9 riots and was believed to have initiated and overseen the court martial proceedings of former Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, who faced military trial on charges of corruption and breaches of military discipline following his retirement.

Appointment as Director-General Inter-Services-Intelligence (DG-ISI)

On 23 September 2024, Malik was appointed to succeed Nadeem Anjum as the Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI), with his term beginning on 30 September 2024. The announcement was made by the Pakistan Television Corporation, a departure from previous practice, where such appointments were typically announced by the Prime Minister's Office or Inter-Services Public Relations. Although Malik has limited experience in intelligence-specific roles, his appointment comes at a time of political instability, rising militancy, and heightened public attention on the ISI.

Sources within military circles indicated that Malik shares a strong connection with COAS Asim Munir, who views him as a trusted confidant. Both are the recipients of the prestigious Sword of Honour when they graduated from their respective cadet courses before induction as junior officers of the Pakistan Army.

National Security Advisor (2025–present)

On 30 April 2025, Asim Malik appointed as Pakistans's tenth National Security Advisor (NSA), A notification issued by the Cabinet Division said that Malik would retain his role as Director-General of Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), a position he has held since September 2024. Asim Malik shall hold the additional charge of the National Security Adviser, with immediate effect,” the notification stated. The position had remained vacant for two years following the departure of Dr Moeed Yusuf in April 2022, when the Khan Ministry was removed from the power. During 2025 India–Pakistan standoff, the Shehbaz Ministry appointed the serving ISI Chief Malik as the NSA, marking the first time a serving Inter-Services Intelligence director general will simultaneously hold both crucial positions. He is widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most astute and principled intelligence minds—meets that need squarely, his focus on institutional integrity, internal cohesion, and operational discipline has restored public confidence in the intelligence community of Pakistan his appointment as NSA reaffirms the state’s commitment to proactive defence, unity of command, and long-term stability.

Publications

* ''Mountain Warfare: The Need for Specialist Training'', 2003.

Awards and decorations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malik, Asim
Living people
Pakistan Army lieutenant generals
Directors General of Inter-Services Intelligence
Year of birth missing (living people)
Lieutenant generals
Pakistan Army personnel
University of Balochistan alumni
Fort Leavenworth
Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies
National Defence University, Pakistan alumni
Pakistan Military Academy alumni
Academic staff of the National Defence University, Pakistan
Baloch Regiment officers
Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz
People from Sargodha District