In Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir has surpassed both President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif as the supreme authority. India’s Operation Sindoor, which was launched in reaction to the Pahalgam attack, has brought attention to Pakistan’s incompetent civilian leadership in addition to Islamabad’s diplomatic weakness.
The real strings are pulled by Rawalpindi’s military brass rather than elected officials as suicide bombings tremble the country. When the barracks rule, the ballot has no influence, as Munir’s appointment as field marshal demonstrates.
PM Shehbaz and Zardari Fear Rawalpindi, Not Delhi
A Pakistani MP made fun of PM Shehbaz Sharif for being too shy to bring up Indian PM Narendra Modi’s name amid escalating tensions with India. However, Shehbaz’s true fear is internal rather than external. PM Shehbaz now treads carefully on a precarious precipice, scarred by the memory of his brother Nawaz Sharif’s overthrow by General Musharraf.
President Asif Ali Zardari also recalls Musharraf’s ascent to the presidency. These days, Field Marshal Asim Munir, a new avatar, poses the same threat to both leaders.
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos
PM Shehbaz went to a Pakistan Air Force base to counter India’s display of force. He praised the army’s actions during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos while standing atop a tank. However, this effort to raise spirits only made him more reliant on the military.
The incident improved Asim Munir’s reputation rather than PM Shehbaz’s. The operation itself revealed the emptiness of Pakistan’s military bluster, and it was far from successful.
Ceremony That Cemented Control
The cabinet soon elevated COAS General Asim Munir to the highest ceremonial military rank, Field Marshal. Despite being primarily symbolic, Asim Munir has unparalleled political clout because of the rank. His “courageous leadership” was cited by officials as justification for the action.
Actually, Asif Ali Zardari and Shehbaz hoped the promotion would postpone another coup. Delay, however, is not deterrence. Another indication of Asim Munir’s growing sphere of influence was the extension granted to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu at the same meeting.
Military Grip Tightens with ISI Takeover
The military had further tightened its grip by April. In an unprecedented double role, Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, the leader of the potent ISI, was appointed Pakistan’s National Security Adviser.
This action consolidated strategic command and intelligence in a single military hand. The chairman of the joint chiefs and ardent supporter of Asim Munir, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, publicly hailed Munir’s promotion, indicating total unanimity within the military.
Echoes of Ayub Khan’s Legacy
Field Marshal Ayub Khan, the mastermind of Pakistan’s first coup in 1958, is directly compared to Asim Munir’s promotion. Ayub Khan declared martial law and eventually ousted President Iskander Mirza with his support. Military meddling in politics became commonplace after that coup.
Since then, Rawalpindi’s X Corps has led every significant coup because of its closeness to Islamabad. X Corps has always been at the center of power, from Musharraf’s 1999 dismissal of Nawaz Sharif to Zia’s 1977 overthrow of Bhutto. Munir is now standing there as well.
Career Built for Power
Asim Munir’s ascent was guaranteed by his professional trajectory. After graduating from Mangla’s training school, he became a Brigadier and commanded Northern Areas. He went on to lead the ISI and Military Intelligence, making him the only officer in Pakistani history to hold both positions.
He was the Quartermaster General at GHQ and the commander of Gujranwala Corps. His well-planned ascent to the top was crowned by his Sword of Honour award. Munir gained power via a network of loyalists and calculated positioning, he didn’t just happen to be in it.
Constitutionally Weak, Militarily Supreme
Asim Munir expressed gratitude to civilian leaders for his promotion, but it seems insincere. He owes them nothing. There are no effective restraints on military power under Pakistan’s constitutional order. Asim Munir now has that unbridled power.
Democratic legitimacy is not required of the field marshal. The important institutions are loyal to him.
It would be prudent for civilian leaders to have their passports ready as this military reordering takes place. In Pakistan, the people do not hold the power. It still originates from Rawalpindi, the army’s command center.
