The rise of Asim Munir: How one General is redrawing Pakistan's power map and why India should worry

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir - File Photo

In a nation where the military has long cast shadow over civilian rule, the ascent of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir marks a defining chapter in Pakistan’s evolving power structure. Elevated to the prestigious five-star rank in May this year – just after suffering massive losses in the military standoff with India – Munir is no longer the Army chief, he is now the unchallenged nucleus of Pakistan’s civil-military establishment.

With Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif increasingly sidelined and the civilian bureaucracy in retreat, Munir has emerged as the de facto head of state, wielding unprecedented authority over not just defence policy, but also foreign relations, economic planning, and domestic governance. As Pakistan struggles with financial instability, diplomatic isolation, and insurgent violence, Munir’s rise signals a consolidation of military control that blurs the line between uniformed command and national leadership. His elevation may be styled as a strategic necessity, but it also underscores just how deeply entrenched military dominance has become in the country's political DNA.

Pakistani Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry recently dismissed speculation about Gen Asim Munir eyeing the presidency as “nonsense.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have gone out of their way to stress the importance of “mutual respect” among Pakistan’s key power centres – an unusual public show of unity that hints at underlying tensions.

An unprecedented elevation

Munir’s promotion marks only the second such elevation in Pakistan’s history, the first being General Ayub Khan in 1959. The civilian government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, backed the decision, citing his “superior strategy and courageous leadership” during Operation Bunyan‑un‑Marsoos, the military’s response to India’s Operation Sindoor. Cabinet approval came swiftly and without meaningful opposition.

The rank comes with unparalleled immunity and a lifetime tenure, far beyond the reach of civilian or judicial reversal. As a Field Marshal, Munir holds a crown-like authority over Pakistan’s military and, by extension, its polity.

Civil-military imbalance and democratic erosion

Munir continues to serve as army chief, with his term extended through to November 2027 – a stretch critics say undermines democratic norms and concentrates power dangerously within the military establishment.

Observers warn of creeping militarisation. Field Marshal status, coupled with the legislative rubber-stamping of his term extension, signals a broader, troubling tilt in Pakistan’s power dynamics.

Comparisons to Ayub Khan are inevitable. Ayub seized power via coup and later crowned himself Field Marshal; Munir is seen by many as consolidating military dominance through ostensibly democratic means. PTI leaders have mocked his elevation; Aleema Khan quipped that instead of a Field Marshal, Sharif should have declared him “Baadshah (Emperor).”

Speaking to Moneycontrol, foreign policy and political expert Dr Suvrokamal Dutta opined, “What I understand is that Asim Munir is eyeing for the post of the president of Pakistan for lifetime, and I think he is heading towards that.”

“The more power Asim Munir takes within himself, and the more he has to have control over the Pakistani state, I think that will expedite the process of disintegration of Pakistan. I think Asim Munir will be the person who will be remembered in Pakistan's history, as well as in global history, that he is the man who has eradicated the map of Pakistan from the globe,” he added.

Public adulation and nationalist resonance

Munir’s prominence has surged amid rising nationalistic fervour. Public support for him surged 93 per cent, as Pakistanis rallied around the military in the wake of the conflict with India, according to a Reuters report, which cited a survey by Gallup Pakistan.

Media narratives praise his leadership and rally public morale, reinforcing his image as the nation’s primary defender. Critics dismiss the acclaim as propaganda, noting that Munir’s own rhetoric, calling Kashmir Pakistan’s “jugular vein”, reflects ideological rigidity more than diplomatic nuance.

However, at the same time, several recent incidents highlight the growing public anger against him. From the streets of Lahore and Peshawar to the hills of PoK and Balochistan, there is growing unrest -- not just against the collapsing economy or increasing repression, but against the man many accuse of orchestrating it all.

ALSO READ: ‘People vs Asim Munir’: How anger is boiling over against Pakistan's most powerful man

Crackdown on dissent

Domestically, Munir’s rise has coincided with a crackdown on political opposition. PTI and its leadership remain sidelined: Imran Khan is imprisoned, his party barred from elections, and PTI activists still languish behind bars.

The judiciary, media, and civil society have been pressured or curtailed; dissenting judges and journalists face retaliation for questioning election fairness or military overreach.

Implications for India

For India, Munir’s elevation is far from ceremonial. It signals Pakistan’s deepening tilt toward military-led policymaking, with less leeway for civilian diplomacy and de-escalation.

His conduct, particularly during and after the Pahalgam terror attack, suggests a strategy built on asymmetric tactics and high-stakes brinkmanship. Analysts warn of possible Kargil-style incursions to internationalize Kashmir again

India must remain vigilant: bolster surveillance, reinforce strategic deterrence, and deepen diplomatic outreach to isolate extremist sympathies within Pakistan’s military and expose its alliance with terrorist networks.