Islam Tims: Prime Minister Gillani, made the remarks during his first meeting with new ISI chief, Lt Gen Zahir-ul-Islam, who assumed office after his predecessor, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, completed his tenure.
In a statement issued by his Gilani was quoted as saying: "The ISI was an important arm of the security establishment assigned to safeguard the national interests in consonance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan",.
Gilani expressed his confidence that the ISI would serve "the national interest in the best manner" under Islam's leadership.
The new spy chief thanked the premier for "reposing confidence in him for undertaking responsibilities pertaining to national security". Islam, the former commander of the Karachi Corps, has taken over as the ISI chief at a time when Pakistan's Parliament is set to announce new terms of engagement with the US.