Asim Munir: A Boon or Bane for Pakistan?

General Asim Munir, the current Chief of the Pakistan Army, is not merely caught in the storm surrounding the subcontinent—he is the storm. His rise from the shadows of the military-intelligence establishment to becoming the de facto power center of Pakistan marks a pivotal shift in South Asia’s security landscape. As former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Munir's tenure was marred by the infamous Pulwama terror attack of 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 Indian CRPF personnel. India has long suspected Pakistan's military-intelligence nexus of harboring and orchestrating cross-border terrorism, and Munir's role at the helm of ISI during that period has put him squarely in the crosshairs of Indian intelligence assessments.

Asim Munir: A Boon or Bane for Pakistan?

Munir’s trajectory to the top was anything but smooth. His brief stint as ISI chief—the shortest in the agency’s history—ended in 2019 after he reportedly confronted then Prime Minister Imran Khan with evidence of alleged corruption involving Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi. His dismissal was swift, but Munir did not fade into obscurity. Instead, he strategically navigated the military’s internal corridors of power, eventually emerging stronger. In November 2022, he was appointed army chief, a position that effectively granted him command over Pakistan’s domestic politics, foreign policy, and military establishment.

His ascent coincided with a military-backed ouster of Imran Khan

His ascent coincided with a military-backed ouster of Imran Khan, who was jailed soon after on multiple charges. Critics argue this was political vengeance disguised as anti-corruption action, reinforcing Pakistan’s image as a military-dominated quasi-democracy. Munir’s firm grip over the judiciary, legislature, and media has intensified concerns over authoritarianism, even as Pakistan grapples with economic crises and international scrutiny.

Asim Munir’s leadership now defines the political and security discourse of Pakistan. While some view him as a stabilizing force capable of maintaining order in a deeply fractured state, others see him as the architect of repression, militarization, and regional volatility. Whether he will steer Pakistan toward reform or ruin remains a question of grave consequence—not just for Islamabad, but for the entire region.