The government has appointed Corps Comm-ander Karachi Lieutenant General Zaheer ul Islam as new Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI). In a statement, it has been stated that, "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has appointed Lieutenant General Zaheer ul Islam, Corps Commander Karachi, as new Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)".
Defence Sources have claimed that there have been serious differences over the question whether or not ISI chief Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha should be granted another extension in his tenure. Lieutenant General Islam has been working as corps commander of Karachi.
His appointment reportedly enjoys the support and recommendations of President Asif Ali Zardari. As a Major-General, Islam has earlier served as deputy director general of the ISI. Lieutenant General Islam will take the charge of the DG ISI post after Lieutenant General Pasha's scheduled retirement ie, March 18. Lieutenant General Pasha has been serving on a one-year extension since March 2011.