ISLAMABAD: Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, a seasoned soldier who has battled militants, became head of Inter-Services Intelligence agency Wednesday, replacing Faiz Hameed who was appointed commander of the Peshawar corps.
Anjum belongs to the Punjab Regiment of the Pakistan Army and has also served as the commandant of Command and Staff College, Quetta.
He is a battle-hardened soldier who also headed Frontier Corps in Balochistan. The agency conducted many successful anti-terrorism operations under his command. He last served as commander of V Corps assigned in Karachi.
The appointment of the spy chief is the prerogative of the prime minister. However, per standard practice, the prime minister makes the choice in consultation with the army chief.
Hameed, a former senior ISI figure who headed its internal security, was appointed to the post in June 2019. He had succeeded Lt Gen Asim Munir who remained in the office for only eight months.
Hameed was seen to be hugely influential within ISI during his previous stint at the agency. He was one of the figures who brokered the Faizabad agreement in late 2017 when Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan protesters blocked off roads into Islamabad.
An Inter-Services Public Relations statement further said Lt Gen Muhammad Amir was posted as the Commander Gujranwala Corps while Lt Gen Asim Munir Malik after promotion to the rank of lieutenant general was appointed the Quartermaster General.
The statement announced other postings as well, saying Lt Gen Mohammad Saeed has been posted as the Karachi corps commander, Lt Gen Nauman Mehmood as president of the National Defence University.
Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum was commissioned in the Light Anti Tank Battalion of Punjab Regiment.
General officer has diversified experience of command, staff and instructional assignments.
He’s graduate of Combined Arms Centre UK, Staff College Quetta, Advance Staff Course UK, NDU Islamabad, APCSS USA and Royal College of Defense Studies UK.
He holds a Master degree from King’s College London and NDU Islamabad.
General has vast experience of command in conventional as well as sub conventional threat environment. He has been on command on both western border and LOC besides long service in Balochistan.
He commanded an infantry brigade in South Waziristan Agency, an infantry brigade in Kurram Agency and Hangu during Op Zarbe Azb and he was IGFC Balochistan during Op Raddul Fasad.
He has been an instructor at PMA, Staff College and NDU. He has been Commandant of Staff College, Quetta. He has also been Chief of staff of 5 Corps.
His last assignment was Commander 5 Corps, Sindh.
