Islamabad: Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today appointed a new Director General of Military Intelligence, replacing an official who was a close ally of President Pervez Musharraf.

Maj Gen Muhammad Asif, who had earlier served as Pakistan's defence attache in Russia, will be the new Director General of Military Intelligence (MI), military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told reporters.

Asif replaced Maj Gen Nadeem Ejaz, who was posted as General Officer Commanding in Bahawalpur, Abbas said.

Ejaz is a close confidante and a relative by marriage of Musharraf, who was army chief till November last year when he stepped down in favour of Kayani.

Musharraf appointed Ejaz as the Director General of Military Intelligence, one of Pakistan's three most important spy agencies, two years ago.

The change in the leadership of the MI came a little over a week after Kayani carried out his first major reshuffle in the army by replacing two strike corps commanders who were promoted by Musharraf.

Asif is also perceived to be close to Kayani, who has taken several steps in the past few months to limit the army's role in politics.

The army chief, who recently recalled hundreds of officers, including some generals, and thousands of other army personnel from civil departments, has said his force will stay out of politics.
Source : PTI