Pakistan military announced a major shake-up of top positions, appointing Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as chief of the country’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gen Nadeem replaced Lt. General Faiz Ahmed, who has been appointed as the commander of the Peshwar Corps.  Nadeem’s appointment as the director-general of the ISI came at a time when the current army chief, General Qamar Javad Bajwa, is set to retire in less than a year's time. 

In a statement, the military’s media wing, ISPR, announced other postings as well, where Lt Gen Mohammad Saeed has been posted as the Karachi corps commander, Lt Gen Nauman Mehmood has been appointed the president of the National Defence University. 

Maj Gen Asim Malik has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and appointed the army's adjutant general. Lt Gen Mohammad Amir has been posted as Gujranwala corps commander, while Lt Gen Asim Munir has been appointed as the quartermaster general.

The appointment of the ISI director-general is the prerogative of the prime minister. The spymaster's choice is, however, made by the prime minister in consultation with the army chief.

Lt Gen Faiz Ahmed, who served as DG ISI for more than two years and had recently visited Kabul to talk with the Taliban leaders, is considered close to the current army chief,  Gen Bajwa. Some analysts believe the former is likely to replace the latter as Chief of Army Staff next year.

(SAM)