Opinion | Has Pakistan’s Government Lost Relevance as Asim Munir Becomes the Country’s Global Poster Boy?

Whenever an international treaty, agreement, diplomatic event, official tour, or anything else involving countries takes place, news coverage usually features the flags, photographs of the respective heads of state or government, or official government representatives. For instance, US related matters often feature the American flag or its President, and the same applies to India, France, the UK, and other countries. However, this is not universal, and one notable exception is a South Asian nation born in 1947: Pakistan. When we see news or matters concerning Pakistan, we often do not see its flag or elected leadership but instead someone based at GHQ Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s current COAS and Field Marshal, Asim Munir. Ever since he assumed office, Pakistan’s infamous civil military dynamics have changed dramatically, and democratically not for the better. Almost every matter concerning Pakistan seems to feature Asim Munir, whether through his photograph, his name, or his public appearances. This is not as simple as it may seem; it signifies much more than news coverage. It raises questions about the country’s balance of power, democratic legitimacy, and respect for public choice. Therefore, the question, “Has Pakistan’s Government Lost Relevance as Asim Munir Becomes the Country’s Global Poster Boy?” seems genuinely valid and intriguing.

It is no secret that Pakistan has had a complex civil-military relationship, marked by multiple coups, more than three decades of military rule, and persistent political instability. No Pakistani prime minister has completed a full term in office, and the country has had seven prime ministers in just 11 years, among other factors that have allowed the military to expand its influence over civilian affairs. Today, the Pakistan Army has the final say on national policies, foreign affairs, and major decisions concerning national interests. Army chief Asim Munir frequently accompanies the head of government to major meetings and diplomatic visits. But the question is: Has Pakistan’s government lost relevance as Asim Munir increasingly dominates news coverage, discussions, meetings, and diplomatic missions?

What actually caught my eye was that Pakistan recently deployed troops to Saudi Arabia without a parliamentary vote, yet the news headlines focused on how Asim Munir bypassed Parliament and deployed troops. Similarly, reports about creating more provinces in Pakistan raised questions about whether Asim Munir was redrawing the country’s political map. These are decisions taken by the elected government, in which the army chief should have no direct role, yet both stories prominently featured Asim Munir’s name and photograph. This reflects the extent of his influence over Pakistan’s policies. From the recently signed Mecca Pact to negotiations between Iran and the United States, Asim Munir has repeatedly occupied the headlines and the spotlight. When negotiators arrived in Pakistan, he met them personally. Donald Trump invited him to the White House multiple times, making him a prominent figure in international diplomacy. He has become a go to name for journalists and news outlets, with the army increasingly visible in Pakistan’s international engagements and domestic affairs, including cabinet meetings. Even in the recently imposed emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, many believed the decision was influenced by Asim Munir rather than the elected government acting independently. Imran Khan, a jailed former prime minister, is locked in a political tussle with army chief Asim Munir, rather than merely with a political party or rival leader, as is normally the case in a parliamentary democracy. World leaders mention Munir alongside Pakistan’s civilian leadership, while social media posts celebrate him for the diplomatic leverage Pakistan has gained through its role in US Iran mediation. His name and photograph appear whenever major decisions or diplomatic developments involving Pakistan make headlines. This reflects the extent of his influence over the country’s affairs. It is often said that in Pakistan, the prime minister holds the title and the president occupies the office, but the army chief holds the real power. Given these developments, this observation appears increasingly relevant to Pakistan’s political reality. Even during Operation Sindoor, Asim Munir dominated headlines. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the White House to showcase Pakistan’s mineral potential also drew attention, as Munir accompanied him and was invited by Donald Trump to a White House gala dinner. Munir is frequently seen meeting foreign diplomats and world leaders, and during his recent visit to Iran to revive negotiations, he appeared to be leading Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. I once saw footage of Munir disembarking from an aircraft in Tehran to meet the Iranian leadership, followed by Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s powerful interior minister, who appeared to walk behind him in a subordinate position. These developments raise an important question: is Pakistan’s elected government gradually losing its place on the international stage while Asim Munir steps into the spotlight?

Pakistan’s growing concentration of power in the hands of its army chief raises serious questions about democratic accountability and the relevance of its elected government. A country’s strength lies not in one powerful individual, but in institutions that respect public choice and constitutional limits.

Author can be reached at Email id : Alizaroon112@gmail.com