Call it the Pakistan paradox: The institution that gives the country international relevance—a disciplined 660,000-strong military armed with nuclear weapons—holds back the Islamic republic’s political and economic modernization.
But for a prominent middle power on the global stage, Pakistan remains something of an anomaly. It lacks Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves, Turkey’s relatively developed industrial base, and South Korea’s advanced technology and soft power. For the Saudis and Turks, Pakistan’s professional army and status as the only nuclear-armed Muslim-majority nation make it an attractive partner. The army’s outsize role in running Pakistan means that it’s ultimately Field Marshal Munir, not Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has his finger on Pakistan’s nuclear button.
Some of those cards—such as flattering President Trump for helping end a four-day India-Pakistan conflict last year—have been played in public view. Pakistan’s ability to hold its own in its skirmish with India last year also enhanced its prestige in Washington.
Nevertheless, he may end up being among Pakistan’s most consequential army chiefs. Taken together with other changes, including a possible extension, this could mean that Gen. He has already been promoted to field marshal and chief of defense forces, a role that gives him authority over the air force and navy. Parliament has also granted Gen. Munir immunity from prosecution for life. His nemesis, the popular former prime minister Imran Khan, has languished in prison for three years.
Parliament in 2024 changed the chief’s term from three years to five years. Munir serves until 2035, which would make him the longest-serving chief in Pakistani history.
Since June, security forces have killed at least 30 people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir who were protesting poor economic conditions and a lack of political representation, according to a civil society organization. Unfortunately for Pakistan, neither Gen. Munir’s diplomatic feats nor his consolidation of power offers solutions to the country’s domestic crises. The Islamist group Tehreek-e-Taliban, which finds sanctuary in next-door Afghanistan, has stepped up attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
