Who is Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik? ISI chief appointed Pakistan's NSA amid escalating tensions after Pahalgam attack

Pakistan has appointed Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik, the country's new National Security Adviser (NSA), according to the official release. Lt Gen Asim Malik has been given the NSA position as additional charge with immediate effect. 

In September 2024, he was appointed as the ISI head, media reports said.

The new decision comes as Islamabad fears a “military action by India” following the terror attack in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) which claimed 26 lives on April 22.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar cautioned that any act of aggression would be met with a firm response, emphasising that India would be held accountable for any significant repercussions in the region.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government have alleged India of "empty rhetoric" over the Pahalgam attack and pressed for a "neutral" investigation into the carnage.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said a military incursion by India was imminent, adding Pakistan was on high alert but would only use its nuclear weapons if “there is a direct threat to our existence”. 

"We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation, some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken," Reuters quoted him as saying.

India-Pakistan ties

India has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the Attari land-transit post, and withdrawing visas for Pakistan nationals. 

In a series of retaliatory diplomatic moves, Pakistan also suspended visas issued to Indians, reduced the Indian High Commission staff in Islamabad to 30, closed its airspace to all Indian aircraft, and suspended all trade activities with India. 

India blocks Pakistan's YouTube channels in India

India recently blocked Pakistan's 16 YouTube news channels, namely Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News and Razi Naama.

PM Modi over Pahalgam attack

“I assure the bereaved families that they will get justice. Those behind this attack will get the harshest punishment. Terrorists and their masters plotted this conspiracy because they want to destroy Kashmir," Modi said during a ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme.