Islamabad : Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has named Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam as the new director general of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Corps Commander Karachi Lt. Gen. Islam will succeed Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha, whose tenure expires March 18, Geo TV reported late Friday.

His appointment puts to rest rumours regarding whether Pasha's tenure would be extended.

According to sources, director general rangers Sindh Lt. General Ijaz Chaudhry will succeed Islam as Corps Commander Karachi.

Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam will be the 18th director general of the ISI since 1959, the year when this premier spy agency was first headed by Brigadier Riaz Hussain.

Interestingly, only one ISI chief - Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani - has gone on to become the Chief of the Army Staff during the last 53 years.

Update: 10-March-2012