Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam has placed in position of the new director general to run most Powerful Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Since 1959 the ISI spy agency was first headed by Brigadier Riaz Hussain and now will head by Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam who will be the 18th director general of the ISI.

Signaling an important change in the military leadership at a pivotal moment in relations with the United States, the name of Islam has been appointed for as the new director general of ISI by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday.

As per report, General Islam was likely to involve refashioning relations with Washington, which have been virtually frozen since an erroneous American attack near the border with Afghanistan in November killed 24 Pakistani troops.

His recent significant role in peace talks with the Afghan Taliban has been appreciated, but as oper official report, in reality it is controlled by the army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, only one ISI chief who has gone on to become the Chief of the Army Staff during the last 53 years.

However there is much controversy over whether Lt Gen. Shuja Pasha, has held the post since 2008, and whose tenure expires March 18 would be remain in his position by extending his tenure or not.

But announcement by Gilani of Islam appointment puts to rest all rumours and it is ensured that Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Islam will succeed Lt Gen. Shuja Pasha.

And by following this, director general rangers Sindh Lt. General Ijaz Chaudhry will succeed Islam as Corps Commander Karachi. From 2008 to 2010 Islam served as director of the ISI section responsible for internal security.