Pakistan gets new Spy chief

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - In a major shake up in Pakistan's powerful army, Lt General Naveed Mukhtar has been appointed as new chief of the country's premier spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

According to a statement from Pakistan army on Sunday, General Mukhtar who was serving as corps commander Karachi before his appointment as Director General ISI will replace Lt General Rizwan Akhtar.

General Akhtar has been appointed as President of army-run National Defense University. The army spokesman, Lt General Asim Saleem Bajwa has been transferred to army headquarters as Inspector General Arms, the statement said.

The newly promoted Lt General Bilal Akbar who rose to fame as head of an ongoing operation against politically-backed criminal gangs in port city of Karachi, has been appointed as Chief of General Staff.

The fresh transfers and postings follow the appointment of General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the new army chief late last month by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.