Pahalgam terror attack: Why Pakistan picked ISI chief Muhammad Asim Malik as its NSA

Pakistan has appointed Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik as National Security Adviser (NSA) amid rising tensions over the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Asim Malik who is currently serving as the director general of Pakistani spy agency ISI will continue in the role while taking over as the NSA. He began helming the espionage agency in September 2024.

Why did Pakistan pick ISI chief as NSA?

Asim Malik is Pakistan's 10th NSA. The position has been vacant since April 2022. This is the first time in Pakistan's history that an incumbent ISI chief has been given the NSA position. The move is seen as as Islamabad's move to coordinate efforts of the country's security policymaking and the military intelligence.

"Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik HI (M), DG (I), shall hold the additional charge of the National Security Adviser, with immediate effect," a notification by the Cabinet Division of the Pakistani government stated.

This comes after India recently rejigged its National Security Advisory Board and appointed former RAW Secretary Alok Joshi to head the body. 

Other members of the NSAB include former Western Air Commander Air Marshal PM Sinha, former Southern Army Commander Lt Gen AK Singh and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna, retired IFS officer B Venkatesh Sharma and retired IPS officers Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh.

Ajit Doval will continue as the National Security Adviser.

On Tuesday, Modi gave "complete operational freedom" for the armed forces to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

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