Pakistan’s Lieutenant General Mohammad Asim Malik, who currently serves as the chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), has been appointed as the country's National Security Advisor (NSA). This dual role comes at a crucial moment of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives on April 22, 2025.

A Strategic Appointment at a Critical Juncture

The appointment of Malik as NSA, as reported by The Express Tribune, is being seen as a significant strategic move by Pakistan’s military establishment. Not only does it consolidate power under one of the most influential figures in Pakistan's security landscape, but it also sends a strong message regarding Islamabad’s defensive posture amidst mounting international and domestic pressure.

Lieutenant General Asim Malik has been heading the ISI since September 2024. His elevation to the position of NSA is being termed as an “additional charge”, reflecting Pakistan’s trust in military leadership over civilian oversight in matters of national security.

Who Is Lt. Gen. Asim Malik?

Before becoming the ISI chief, Malik served as the Adjutant General at Pakistan Army Headquarters, overseeing legal, disciplinary, and administrative affairs of the military. During his tenure in this role, he oversaw the highly controversial arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, which triggered widespread protests across Pakistan by PTI party supporters.

Malik has also commanded military divisions in Balochistan and South Waziristan, two of Pakistan’s most volatile regions. These assignments have given him extensive counterinsurgency experience, which is likely to influence his approach as NSA at a time when Pakistan is facing accusations of harboring cross-border terrorism.

Fallout of the Pahalgam Terror Attack

The context of Malik’s appointment is deeply tied to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. The ghastly incident has enraged India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi declaring that India will identify and punish every terrorist and their backers.

PM Modi has also granted the Indian Armed Forces "complete operational freedom" to determine the timing, method, and targets for retaliation.

In the wake of the attack, ceasefire violations have increased across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border. On Friday, cross-border firing continued for the seventh consecutive day, including small arms fire from the Pakistani side in Akhnoor sector.

Pakistan’s Alarming Warnings of Retaliation

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar made a public warning on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), claiming that India might attack Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours, citing “credible intelligence”.

Tarar added that any aggression would be met with a “decisive response”, and that Pakistan would hold India accountable for any serious regional consequences.

Adding further fuel to the geopolitical fire, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Reuters that a military incursion by India appeared imminent. He added that while Pakistan is on high alert, nuclear weapons would only be used in the event of an existential threat. This assertion, though typical of Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine, carries heightened significance in a time of crisis.

India's Tactical and Diplomatic Moves

India has not just spoken tough—New Delhi has taken tangible steps on the diplomatic and strategic front. Among the most notable are:

• Closure of Indian airspace for all Pakistani aircraft.

• Suspension of social media accounts belonging to popular Pakistani figures such as Hania Amir, Mahira Khan, and Ali Zafar.

• High-level security briefings led by PM Modi, empowering the military with complete freedom to act.

These measures reflect India’s intent to apply pressure across multiple fronts, from aerial routes to digital platforms, signaling that it will not tolerate state-sponsored terrorism.

Role of ISI in Pakistan’s Power Structure

The ISI holds enormous influence in Pakistan, often acting as the de facto arbiter of both domestic politics and foreign policy. In times of crisis, the agency’s leadership often plays a pivotal role in shaping national responses, particularly in matters relating to India, Afghanistan, and internal security.

With Asim Malik now overseeing both intelligence and national security policymaking, the Pakistan military has essentially centralised power in one individual. This could lead to faster decision-making but may also indicate the weakening of civilian control.

Regional and Global Implications

The developments have caused regional unease. With two nuclear-armed neighbours at loggerheads, the potential for escalation has drawn attention from global security observers and diplomatic circles.

International actors such as the United States, Russia, and China are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, urging both sides to exercise restraint. The United Nations has also reiterated the need to avoid actions that might endanger regional stability.

Cross-Border Fire Continues

Despite diplomatic channels urging peace, the ground situation remains tense. Cross-border shelling and firing along the LoC and International Border have continued unabated.

The seventh day of ceasefire violations was recorded on Friday, underscoring the fragile nature of the truce agreement signed in 2021.

Indian defence officials believe that these acts are deliberate provocations, meant to test India’s resolve or distract from internal issues within Pakistan.

Conclusion

The appointment of Lieutenant General Asim Malik as Pakistan’s NSA amid such volatile conditions is not just a reshuffling of portfolios—it’s a bold signal from Islamabad. As a figure with extensive experience in internal and cross-border security matters, his dual role suggests Pakistan is gearing up for rapid response operations and wants a military-led approach to national crisis management.

Meanwhile, India is not sitting quietly. With public anger high and a tough military-political leadership at the helm, the subcontinent teeters on the edge of a potentially explosive standoff.

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