Pakistan Army chief and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir has emerged as one of the country’s most influential figures, with his diplomatic profile expanding even as political, economic and security pressures continue to build at home. His growing international visibility has strengthened his position abroad, but it also raises questions about the stability of the system he now occupies at the centre of.
Munir’s expanding role comes against the backdrop of Pakistan’s continuing economic difficulties, tensions with Iran, unrest in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the unresolved political confrontation involving jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Together, these pressures present a more complicated picture than Pakistan’s increasingly visible military diplomacy might suggest.
Iran ties face economic and diplomatic pressure
Pakistan’s relationship with Iran remains one of the more difficult challenges. The long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline has already been the subject of an arbitration dispute after Pakistan failed to meet commitments connected with the project.
Trade and transit ties with Iran also carry risks amid wider US sanctions pressure. Pakistan has sought to expand trade routes connecting third countries with Iran, while maintaining that its commercial activities comply with international obligations. Any tightening of sanctions enforcement could, however, complicate Islamabad’s balancing act between Tehran and Washington.
For Munir, who has increasingly presented himself as a regional interlocutor, managing this relationship will require more than diplomatic visibility. Pakistan has significant economic and security interests along its western border, making stability with Iran particularly important.
Economic weaknesses remain a major concern
Pakistan’s economic position continues to constrain the government’s room for manoeuvre. The country remains dependent on external financing, remittances and borrowing, while its narrow export base and limited foreign investment remain structural weaknesses.
The scale of Pakistan’s energy-sector financial problems is also significant. A Finance Division report had highlighted circular debt across the oil, gas and power sectors of more than Rs 4.9 trillion. At the same time, official parliamentary records have distinguished this broader figure from the circular debt specifically accumulated in the electricity sector. (Finance Division)
These problems matter for the military establishment as well. Economic instability can restrict government spending, increase public dissatisfaction and make long-term security planning more difficult.
Police-military tensions add pressure
Security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have added another layer to the internal strain. Police and local security personnel have raised concerns over the security situation and the effectiveness of existing arrangements in areas repeatedly targeted by militants.
The underlying problem is particularly serious because Pakistan’s security forces are already dealing with persistent militant violence. Any perception that civilian policing structures are inadequately supported can deepen institutional tensions at a time when the state is seeking to contain unrest.
Imran Khan remains a political flashpoint
The confrontation with Imran Khan and PTI continues to represent one of the most sensitive political issues for the military-backed power structure.
In March 2026, a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court sentenced 47 PTI leaders and workers to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9, 2023 violence and the attack on the General Headquarters. The verdict was delivered against proclaimed offenders tried in absentia and included fines and property confiscation orders. (HumEnglish)
The continuing imprisonment and prosecution of senior PTI figures have kept political tensions alive. PTI-backed independent candidates had performed strongly in the 2024 general election, making the party’s continued exclusion from formal political power an important factor in Pakistan’s political landscape.
For Munir, the challenge is therefore not simply to manage an opposition party but to prevent political polarisation from becoming a wider institutional crisis.
Changes inside the military command
The restructuring of Pakistan’s higher military command has further strengthened Munir’s institutional position.
In July, Lieutenant General Aamer Raza was promoted to four-star general and appointed the first Commander of the National Strategic Command. The new position was created following changes to Pakistan’s military command structure under the 27th Constitutional Amendment. (Radio Pakistan)
Raza formally assumed command later that month and met Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. (Dawn)
The appointment is significant because it represents a reorganisation of responsibility at the highest level of Pakistan’s defence establishment. It also illustrates the broader transformation of the country’s military command architecture under Munir’s leadership.
A stronger Munir does not necessarily mean a more stable Pakistan
Munir’s international profile may suggest increasing influence, but influence at the top cannot by itself resolve Pakistan’s underlying problems.
The country still faces economic pressures, militant violence, political polarisation, institutional tensions and difficult relationships with neighbouring states. These challenges are interconnected: economic weakness can deepen public frustration, political conflict can undermine governance, and security instability can further constrain investment and development.
For India, the most important question is how these internal pressures affect Pakistan’s external behaviour. A leadership facing domestic difficulties may seek diplomatic engagement and economic stability, but it could also become more willing to adopt a harder security posture to consolidate political support.
Munir’s rise therefore needs to be viewed against the wider condition of Pakistan. His growing authority may make the military establishment more central to decision-making, but the greater concentration of power also means that the consequences of policy failures will increasingly be associated with the same leadership.
The central challenge for Pakistan is not simply how high its army chief rises internationally. It is whether the institutions and economy beneath that leadership can remain stable enough to support the country’s long-term political and security interests.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
