‘Resign or face the reckoning’: Pakistan army chief receives warning from junior officers

Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir receives backlash

In a rare move, junior officers in the Pakistan Army have publicly demanded the resignation of Army Chief General Asim Munir. In a letter exclusively accessed by CNN-News18, the officers accused Munir of transforming the military into a means of political repression and personal revenge, urging him to step down immediately or face repercussions.

The letter, purportedly authored by colonels, majors, captains, and jawans, declares that Munir’s leadership has pushed Pakistan into an abyss reminiscent of 1971, when the nation suffered a catastrophic defeat leading to the creation of Bangladesh reported by CNN-News18.

“Resign or face the reckoning"

“This is not a plea. This is not a negotiation," the letter revealed by CNN-News18 states. “This is your 1971, General, and we will not let you bury us in its shadow."

The officers have accused Munir of destroying the Army’s reputation by suppressing political dissent, silencing journalists, and crushing democratic forces.

The letter has highlighted the violent crackdown following the removal of Imran Khan in April 2022 and the alleged manipulation of the February 8, 2024, elections as pivotal moments that have tarnished the military’s credibility.

“This is the voice of the Pakistan Armed Forces—colonels, majors, captains, and jawans—who have watched you drag our institution, our nation, and our honor into the gutter," the letter reads. “Your time is up. Resign ASAP, or we will take back what you’ve stolen—by force if necessary."

The nation suffers under Munir's leadership

The letter also reveals the life under Munir’s leadership, that outlines the details of brutal crackdowns on dissenting voices. “This is the roar of a people—housewives beaten in the streets, journalists silenced with bullets, students tortured in dungeons, and activists erased for daring to speak—who have borne the brunt of your tyranny since you toppled the last shred of legitimacy in April 2022."

The officers have accused Munir of allowing the country’s economic decline to accelerate while securing his own power. “The economy’s a corpse—and yet you strut in GHQ like some tin-pot dictator, extending your term to 2027 while we starve."

Public anger is at its peak, with even children opposing military authority. “Children throw stones at our checkpoints. You’ve made the Pakistan Army a pariah in its own land, a fascist beast feasting on its own people."

Pakistan in crisis 

Top intelligence sources have confirmed the existence of the letter, describing it as not just a rebellion but an existential crisis for Pakistan’s most powerful institution, reports News18. The letter warns that if Munir does not step down, the military itself will take action, it further reports.

The officers demand that command be transferred to a council of senior officers who would “restore the institution’s integrity" and hold Munir accountable for his alleged crimes. However, analysts caution that even if Munir resigns, the deep divisions within the Army have permanently weakened its standing.

Series of setbacks 

CNN-News18 reports that the letter specifically talks about the recent hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a moment of disgrace, highlighting how insurgents successfully seized a train, held passengers' hostage, and left unchallenged. “We lost Balochistan that day; we lost our dignity," it states.

The officers also slam Munir’s leadership for failing to uphold the Army’s traditional honour: “The BLA’s taunts echo louder than your hollow untruthful ISPR press releases, and the rank-and-file who once stood proud now hang their heads."

The letter further condemns the Pakistan Army’s role in manipulating Pakistan’s political landscape, stating: “Since it was the Generals who orchestrated the ouster of Imran Khan—a leader chosen by the people—you’ve plunged Pakistan to depths unseen since Yahya’s disgrace."

The letter also paints a grim picture of the country’s current state, citing economic collapse, growing public resentment against the military, and the increasing instability in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said CNN-News18.

A turning point 

The Pakistan Army has been involved in the ruling of the country, either directly or indirectly, for a long time. The people of the country have shown significant signs of revolt against the authority. Munir's rule remains in distress due to growing discontent among the citizens of Pakistan and increasing international scrutiny.

Alos the officers behind the letter have made it clear: 'if he does not step aside, they will act.'

As Pakistan faces its biggest military crisis in decades, the key question is whether General Munir will respond to the warning, or if internal divisions within the Army will trigger an unprecedented shift in power.