Pakistan Appoints New Head Of ISI Intelligence Agency

Pakistan has appointed a new head for its main intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) service.

The military said in a statement on October 10 that Asim Munir will replace Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar, who is retiring.

Munir was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in September and was awarded the Hilal-e Imtiaz, a top medal, in March.

He has previously served as head of Military Intelligence and as commander of the forces deployed in northern Pakistan.

The ISI plays a key role in coordinating Pakistan's foreign policy, including with regard to the war in neighboring Afghanistan, and is said to have kept close ties to the Afghan Taliban and other Islamic militant groups.

Washington and Kabul have both repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for Taliban militants, a claim Islamabad has denied.

Based on reporting by AP, Dawn, and The Express Tribune