Pakistan on Sunday appointed a hard-liner general as new chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency, replacing the agency's current head, Lt. Gen. Asim Munir, after only eight months on the job.
Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed, a former senior ISI figure, was appointed director general of the agency, according to a statement by the military's press wing, which did not explain the reshuffle.
The army is arguably the most influential institution in Pakistan, with the military having ruled the country for nearly half of its 71-year history since independence from Britain and enjoying extensive powers even under civilian administrations.