ISLAMABAD: Pakistani information minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Tuesday the “authority” to appoint a new head of the powerful ISI military spy agency rested with the prime minister but the civilian government and the military had an “ideal” relationship and neither would ever take steps to undermine the other.
The minister’s comments on Monday came amid widespread media speculation in Pakistan about an alleged rift between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa over last week’s appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Anjum as DG ISI.
The army is arguably the most influential institution in Pakistan, with the military having ruled the country for about half of its 74-year history since independence from Britain and enjoying extensive powers even under civilian administrations.
By turn, the head of the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan. He is customarily appointed by the prime minister on the advice of the army chief.
Though Gen Anjum’s appointment was announced by the army’s media wing on October 6, the PM House has not yet released an official notification about the posting, fueling speculation about a disagreement.
Hussain said the army chief and the prime minister had a “very long meeting” on Monday night on the issue.
“The legal procedure will be followed in the appointment of the new DG ISI, for which both [Gen Bajwa and Prime Minister Khan] are in agreement,” he said. “For this [appointment], the authority lies with the prime minister.”
“The prime minister and the army chief have a very close and a very pleasant relationship,” the minister said. “The relationship between the civil [government] and the army is ideal.”
“The Prime Minister Office will never take a step due to which the respect of the Pakistan army and the army chief will be reduced,” he added. “The Pakistan army and army chief will also not take any steps due to which the respect of the Pakistani prime minister or the civil set up will be reduced.”
While announcing the new DG ISI, the army also transferred the current head of the ISI, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, as Corps Commander Peshawar. Gen Hameed is widely considered close to the prime minister.
The ISI is widely believed to have a hidden role in making many of the nuclear-armed nation’s policies, including on Afghanistan and India. The threat to Pakistan from nuclear-armed neighboring India has been a main preoccupation of the ISI through the decades.
‘Authority’ to appoint ISI chief rests with PM, government’s relations with army ‘ideal’ — minister
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‘Authority’ to appoint ISI chief rests with PM, government’s relations with army ‘ideal’ — minister
- Information minister’s comments came amid widespread media reports about alleged rift between prime minister and army chief
- Says two leaders had long meeting on Monday, both in agreement on “legal procedure” for appointment of DG ISI
Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025
- Bannu is a restive district in northwestern Pakistan where militants frequently attack law enforcers
- Police say at least 20 drone attacks by militants killed nine civilians, injured 19 cops during the year
PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district said this week that at least 27 police personnel were killed in 134 attacks while 53 militants were killed during various security operations in the volatile area during the year, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militancy.
Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts, where militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently target law enforcers in attacks.
Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that at least 134 “terrorist attacks” were recorded in Bannu district during 2025 that targeted police stations, posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties.
“As a result of these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred and 79 were injured,” a statement issued by Bannu Police said on Wednesday.
It said at least 168 intelligence-based operations were conducted by police across the district during the year, in which 105 militants were arrested and 65 were killed.
Khan informed media that militants carried out 20 drone attacks targeting police installations and civilian areas in 2025, killing nine civilians and injuring 19 police personnel.
“However, following the installation of an anti-drone system in Bannu district on Jul. 18, 2025, the situation improved significantly,” the statement said. “More than 300 drone attacks were thwarted, and four drones were struck/spoofed.”
He said the Bannu police force has been equipped with drones, anti-drone guns, sniper rifles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), thermal imaging systems, tactical helmets and bulletproof vehicles.
“Bannu police reiterates its resolve to continue its struggle to maintain law and order in the district, completely eliminate terrorism and protect the lives and property of the public,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government for facilitating TTP attacks inside its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The surge in militant attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to deadly border clashes in October that saw dozens killed and several wounded on both sides.
