Major General ‘Dirty Harry’ Faisal Naseer Transferred to NACTA
Pakistan’s federal government has made a surprise move by transferring Major General Faisal Naseer, one of the country’s most controversial intelligence figures, from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to the civilian National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).
Naseer, who was widely known as “Dirty Harry” after former Prime Minister Imran Khan repeatedly used the nickname for him, has been appointed National Coordinator of NACTA on a three-year secondment.
The move has attracted considerable attention because of Naseer’s prominent role within the ISI during a politically turbulent period in Pakistan, particularly after Imran Khan was removed from office.
A controversial figure in Imran Khan’s political battle
Naseer served as the ISI’s Director General of Counter-Intelligence, commonly known as DG (C), a powerful position associated with the agency’s internal operations.
During his tenure, he became a frequent target of criticism from Imran Khan and leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Khan publicly accused Naseer of being involved in political manoeuvring and actions against him and his party after his removal as prime minister. It was during this period that Khan repeatedly referred to the intelligence officer as “Dirty Harry”.
The accusations turned Naseer into one of the most recognisable figures associated with the political confrontation between Pakistan’s military establishment and the PTI.
From powerful intelligence post to civilian authority
His transfer to NACTA represents a significant change from his previous role at the ISI.
NACTA was created to coordinate Pakistan’s counter-terrorism and counter-extremism efforts and to help implement the country’s National Action Plan. However, the authority has historically struggled to exercise strong coordination over provincial law-enforcement agencies.
The appointment of an active-duty army general is therefore being viewed as a major departure from the organisation’s traditional leadership pattern.
Officials and security observers believe Naseer’s experience in intelligence and national security could give NACTA greater operational and strategic weight.
What does the move mean for Naseer?
The transfer has also raised questions about Naseer’s own military career.
He had previously been regarded as an officer with significant influence and was considered by some observers to be a potential candidate for promotion to lieutenant general.
Moving from a senior intelligence position to a civilian institution could, however, affect the normal trajectory of his military career, particularly because the transfer comes around the time of an important promotion cycle.
For Imran Khan’s supporters, the development is likely to be watched closely because of Naseer’s controversial reputation and the allegations repeatedly levelled against him by the former prime minister.
Whether the NACTA appointment represents a strategic attempt to strengthen Pakistan’s civilian counter-terrorism machinery or a change in the career trajectory of one of the country’s most controversial intelligence officers remains a matter of debate.
For now, Major General Faisal Naseer’s move from the ISI to NACTA marks an unexpected new chapter for an officer whose name became closely linked with one of Pakistan’s most intense political battles in recent years.
