Rizwan Akhtar: Pakistan's New ISI Chief
Rizwan Akhtar will take over as head of Pakistan's most powerful intelligence agency ISI on October 1.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has appointed Rizwan Akhtar, considered a close ally of the army chief, to head the country's powerful intelligence agency, the military's press wing said on Monday.
The head of the Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan, at the intersection of domestic politics, the war on militancy and Pakistan's foreign relations.
Although the ISI officially reports to the prime minister, in reality it is controlled by the army chief, General Raheel Sharif.
Akhtar's previous job was head of the Paramilitary Rangers in southeastern Sindh province. He is considered to have extensive experience of counterinsurgency from a previous posting in the border region of South Waziristan. He will take over as head of the ISI on October 1.
"He (Akhtar) is a horribly straight guy, all black and white," said a serving military official who has served with Akhtar.
"He has served in a place like Karachi while remaining neutral and apolitical and has extensive experience of counterinsurgency and counterterrorism. He was the obvious choice.
Reuters
