Pakistan has appointed its spy chief Lieutenant Mohammed Asim Malik as the new National Security Advisor (NSA), tensions with India escalated after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people on April 22, news agency PTI reported.In addition to his current director-general of InterService Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant Malik will hold an NSA position, an article he wrote in October 2024, according to a notice released by the Cabinet department on Tuesday.
“Lt. Muhammad Asim Malik Hi (M), DG (i), shall immediately hold additional charges from the National Security Adviser,” the notice reads.
This is the first time that the ISI Chief was appointed to the NSA at the same time. Lieutenant Malik became the tenth person to hold the position, which has been vacant since the removal of the Pakistani Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government since April 2022. At that time, Dr. Moeed Yusuf served in the NSA.
“Lt. Muhammad Asim Malik Hi (M), DG (i), shall immediately hold additional charges from the National Security Adviser,” the notice reads.
This is the first time that the ISI Chief was appointed to the NSA at the same time. Lieutenant Malik became the tenth person to hold the position, which has been vacant since the removal of the Pakistani Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government since April 2022. At that time, Dr. Moeed Yusuf served in the NSA.
Meanwhile, India banned Pakistan Airlines from escalating tensions with neighboring countries following the Pahargam terrorist attacks on Wednesday.
According to reports, an apartment (notifying the pilot) has been issued saying that Pakistan Airlines does not use Indian airspace. The development comes a week after Pakistan banned Indian airlines from using its airspace.
