GENERAL MISCHIEF

As his country faces failures on foreign, economic and military fronts, army chief General Asim Munir has resorted to the age-old tactic of raising tensions with India

- BY LIEUTENANT GENERAL RAKESH SHARMA (RETD)

IN PAKISTAN, the army chief continues to wield perpetual power. General Asim Munir, the incumbent, was earlier removed by Imran Khan from his post as director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence. His appointment followed months of speculation, controversy and behind-the-scenes lobbying.

Munir's leadership is deeply flawed. He has undermined the civilian government and pushed the country closer to economic collapse and a near-civil war scenario west of the Indus river. His poor handling of the security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has alarmed China, leading Beijing to halt new projects. Pakistan is now dealing with a long list of challenges, including political instability, democratic backsliding and worsening internal security.

Munir's tenure has exposed growing internal tensions and leadership failures within the Pakistan army. Last year was particularly grim: 579 civilians were killed in 784 terror attacks—the highest toll since 2015; 383 security personnel, too, lost their lives.