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New ISI chief takes charge in Pakistan
Afzal khan in Islamabad

Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar has taken over as the head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), succeeding Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam (retd). “Lt Gen Akhtar has taken over as the next director general of ISI,” a military official confirmed the change at ISI headquarters, commonly known as Aabpara. Lt Gen Akhtar, known to be a close ally of army chief General Raheel Sharif, was named as director general of the ISI by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in September. The announcement came a month in advance in an attempt to avoid the controversy over the appointment at a time when the civil-military relationship was passing through a critical phase.

With Lt Gen Akhtar assuming the office of ISI chief, all promotions of two to three-star generals made by the army chief in the latest phase have taken effect. This makes the army chief more powerful than when he took over the command of the army last December as he is now believed to have consolidated his grip over the army.

The new spy chief has assumed office at a time when the country is faced with grave external and internal challenges.

About Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar

• Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar succeeds Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam (retd) as head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)
• Known to be a close ally of army chief General Raheel Sharif, Lt Gen Akhtar was named ISI director general by PM Nawaz Sharif in September
• He has previously served as director general of the Sindh Rangers to maintain the law and order in Karachi
• He had also served as commander infantry brigade and infantry division of FATA

Will he follow aggressive agenda?

In 2008, Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar had attended the US Army War College in Pennsylvania. An academic paper he wrote there articulated that Pakistan “must aggressively pursue rapprochement with India”. The comment has led to speculation that Akhtar might reach out to New Delhi.