Pakistan appoints ISI chief Asim Malik as NSA amid escalating tensions with India over Pahalgam terror attack

Pakistan has named its current spy chief, Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik , as the new National Security Adviser (NSA), marking the first time a serving Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general will simultaneously hold both crucial positions.

The appointment, announced through a Cabinet Division notification on Tuesday, comes at a critical time as India-Pakistan relations continue to deteriorate following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The incident has triggered a series of retaliatory actions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Lt Gen Malik, who assumed the role of ISI chief in October 2024, becomes Pakistan's tenth National Security Adviser. The position had remained vacant for two years following the departure of Dr Moeed Yusuf in April 2022, when the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was removed from power.

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

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has denied India's allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack. Sharif called for an unbiased investigation into the incident and urged the United States to discourage India from making provocative statements.

Addressing the Indus Waters Treaty issue, Sharif emphasised that the agreement, which provides essential water resources to 240 million people, does not allow for unilateral withdrawal by either country.