Pakistan govt names director general for ISI
ISLAMABAD: The first key appointment in the Pakistan Army since Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed office was announced on Wednesday, with Lt Gen Asim Munir being named the new director general of the Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) agency, which plays a major role in shaping foreign policy.
The announcement did not come as a surprise, analysts said. Following reports about the former ISI chief, Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, being set to retire this month, sections of the Pakistani media had speculated that Munir was next in line for the post.
The Pakistan Army had in September approved the promotion of Munir and five other major generals to the rank of lieutenant general. Munir’s previous appointment was as director general of Military Intelligence. He also served as commander of the Force Command Northern Areas. He received a Hilal-i-imtiaz, the country’s second highest civilian honour, in March.
Munir’s name was forwarded to Prime Minister Imran Khan by the army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, earlier this month. Munir is believed to be part of Bajwa’s inner circle.
There had been some speculation over the delay in announcing Mukhtar’s successor, but army insiders said this was because of the preoccupation of Bajwa, who had been travelling abroad for the past few weeks. His latest trip was to Jordan.
It was only four days ago that Bajwa met the premier at a briefing in Quetta. Insiders said it was at this meeting that the name of the new ISI chief was formalised.
Traditionally, the post of the ISI chief, considered the most powerful general after the army chief, goes to a three-star officer with considerable expertise of working in intelligence agencies. The prime minister picks the ISI chief on the recommendations of the army chief.
The ISI has long maintained close ties to the Afghan Taliban and other terror groups. The US and Afghanistan have repeatedly called on Pakistan to crack down on such groups.
In addition to announcing Munir’s new charge as head of the ISI, the Inter-services Public Relations or the military’s media arm said Lt Gen Azhar Saleh Abbasi would take over as chief of logistics staff at the General Headquarters. Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki had been appointed as commander of Mangla Corps, the primary strike formation of the army.