Who is General Asim Munir? Pakistan’s ‘Hafiz-e-Quran’ army chief, son of a mujahir

Pakistani army General Asim Munir

The relationship of New Delhi and Islamabad has always been fragile, and the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, further escalated tensions between the two neighbors.

Just a week before the deadly massacre of April 22, Pakistani army general Asim Munir gave a provocative speech.

“Kashmir is our jugular vein; it will remain our jugular vein,” declared General Munir during his speech at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad — echoing a phrase first used by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He also emphasized that the two-nation theory and stressed that India and Pakistan are two different countries.

Let’s take a closer look at General Munir — how the son of an imam from a humble background rose to hold the most powerful position in Pakistan. 

All about Munir 

Unlike many of his predecessors who came from elite military or bureaucratic backgrounds, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir comes from a modest upbringing. His father was a school principal, a mujahir who came to Rawalpindi from Jalandhar in 1947 and also served as a mosque imam.

He went to Markazi Madrasah Dar-ul-Tajweed, an Islamic seminary in Rawalpindi for his early education indicating that Munir was raised in a deeply religious environment.

Then completed his graduation from Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad and first got commissioned to 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.

Ramanathan Kumar, who headed the Pakistan desk at R&AW from 2015 to 2020, told The Indian Express that General Munir is Pakistan’s first 'mullah general.'

While serving as a military attaché in Saudi Arabia, Munir memorized the Quran, earning the title Hafiz-e-Koran. As Army chief, he often incorporates Quranic verses and Islamic theology into his speeches, effortlessly switching between English, Urdu, and classical Arabic.

What further complicates the picture is Munir’s turbulent career. His rise through the ranks reportedly involved several run-ins with political leaders, leading some to believe he may feel sidelined within Pakistan’s power structure.

In this context, his strong rhetoric on Kashmir is being closely watched — not only for its content but for what it might signal in the region’s fragile geopolitical balance.

The shortest-serving ISI chief

General Asim Munir’s military journey began in 1986 during the Zia-ul-Haq era. After graduating from the Officers Training School in Mangla, he received the Sword of Honour and was commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.

From 2016 to 2018, Munir served as the head of Military Intelligence. In 2018, he was appointed Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), but his tenure lasted only eight months — the shortest in ISI history — reportedly due to differences with then-Prime Minister Imran Khan. The fallout became public, with Khan openly critical of Munir.

After his removal from the ISI, Munir commanded the XXX Corps in Gujranwala and later served as Quartermaster General. Following Imran Khan’s ouster through a no-confidence motion, Munir returned to prominence and was appointed Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff in 2022.

Turbulent times

In the 2024 Pakistan elections, Imran Khan’s party, PTI, was prohibited from participating, a move that greatly tarnished the Army's reputation with the public.  Imran’s continued imprisonment and the harsh response to protests by his supporters have only deepened public discontent. Even the Pakistani Army is divided into pro- and anti-Imran factions.

The insurgency in Balochistan is worsening, highlighted by the March 11 hijacking of the Jaffar Express, which ended with 64 fatalities. Targeted killings of Punjabis, Shias, Sindhis, and Chinese nationals remain frequent in both Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

New Delhi views Munir’s provocative speech as an attempt to garner support for Pakistan and its military amid difficult times. According to an Indian official quoted by The Indian Express, Munir is usually reserved and speaks rarely — but when he did speak, it was with deep emotion and conviction, suggesting he genuinely meant every word.