The Pakistani army’s media wing on Wednesday announced that Lt. Gen. Asim Munir has been appointed the new director general (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s intelligence agency, Dawn News reported.

Following reports that former ISI DG Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar would be retiring, various sections of the media speculated that Munir was next in line for the post, the report stated. 

The Pakistan Army had in September approved the promotion of Munir and five other major generals to the rank of Lt Gen.

Munir's previous appointment was as DG Military Intelligence. Munir received a Hilal-i-Imtiaz in March – which is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers in Pakistan.