Asim Malik Appointed National Security Adviser Amid Tensions

Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, the director general of Pakistan's premier intelligence agency, has been appointed as the new National Security Adviser (NSA), retaining his role as DG ISI and becoming the country's tenth NSA. This marks the first time a serving ISI chief has held the position of NSA concurrently, as tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated recently.

The appointment comes after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead and sparked concerns over a possible military response from India. Malik will serve as the principal adviser to the Prime Minister on matters of national security, foreign policy, and strategic affairs, playing a central role in shaping Pakistan's national security strategy and enhancing synergy between military intelligence and national security policymaking.

Pakistan has been on high alert since the Pahalgam attack, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accusing India of "empty rhetoric" and calling for a "neutral" investigation into the attack. India has taken several measures in response, including expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari-Wagah border. Malik's appointment is seen as a response to the heightened tensions and a move to strengthen Pakistan's national security apparatus.

The NSA position had been vacant since April 2022, and Malik's appointment is expected to bring a new level of expertise and experience to the role. As the director general of the ISI, Malik has been at the forefront of Pakistan's intelligence efforts, and his additional role as NSA will enable him to play a more significant part in shaping the country's national security strategy.