Muhammad Asim Malik, HI(M) 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.
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
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 Adjutant General
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.
As Director General 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.
Awards and decorations
Publications
- Mountain Warfare: The Need for Specialist Training, 2003.
References
