Pakistan has entered a defining chapter in its political and military history with Field Marshal General Asim Munir assuming unprecedented authority as both Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, securing control until 2030.
His recent public address—brief yet emphatic—expressed renewed hope for the country’s future.
Speaking at a state banquet at Aiwan-e-Sadr, he declared confidently: Everything is stable in the country. Pakistan is moving forward, and from here onwards, the nation will rise.”
His words sparked intense debate across media, political circles, and public discourse—not merely because of the optimism they conveyed, but because they arrived at a time when Pakistan faces extraordinary challenges on multiple fronts.
Historic Extension That Redefines Power
The appointment, formally confirmed on December 4, 2025, grants Munir one of the longest tenures ever held by a military leader in Pakistan.
Initially appointed Army Chief in November 2022, a series of legislative amendments—including the 27th Constitutional Amendment—extended his authority beyond traditional limits, creating the new role of Chief of Defence Forces and placing the country’s defence structure firmly in his hands until 2030.
Political leaders, including Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, have praised the move as essential for national security and institutional alignment. Yet, beneath the official celebrations lies a deep wave of speculation: What direction will Pakistan take under near-total military command?
The Larger Question: What Does It Take for a Nation to Truly Rise?
A nation does not rise through rhetoric alone. Real uplift demands sustained economic growth, diversified investment, employment generation, industrial productivity, access to finance, technological advancement, infrastructure, good governance, political stability, rule of law, quality education, public health, civil liberties, social inclusion, and strong democratic institutions.
But Pakistan today faces:
- Severe economic collapse with empty foreign reserves
- Delayed salaries for government employees
- Rising inflation and unemployment
- Political chaos, crackdowns, and institutional confrontation
- Social unrest, censorship, and shrinking democratic space
- Concerns of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation
In such turbulence, many are asking—not whether Pakistan will rise—but how.
A Future Shaped by Military Command?
With Munir now holding consolidated military authority, an uncomfortable question arises.
Will the military bypass or overshadow the elected civilian government to direct the country’s future course?
There is speculation that Munir may attempt to use the vast human and logistical resources of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to step into sectors typically managed by civilian institutions—such as infrastructure development, national service initiatives, agriculture management, logistics, and technology deployment.
If this happens, then what will become of:
- The President
- The Prime Minister
- Elected Members of Parliament
- Civil service and government institutions?
Will they become symbolic entities while real governance shifts entirely into military hands?
An Even More Unsettling Scenario
Some analysts warn of an alternative possibility—that the CDS could pursue external military ventures to rally nationalism, whether through territorial ambitions or escalated conflict with neighbouring states.
But critics argue, with a collapsing economy and depleted treasury, what kind of military adventure is even possible?
If the government cannot pay salaries, how will it fund expansionist pursuits?
The Real Test Begins Now
Supporters hail Munir as a decisive leader capable of restoring order, fighting extremism, reasserting Pakistan’s global relevance, and rebuilding national morale.
Opponents fear that extended military dominance may deepen institutional imbalance, weaken democracy, and lead the country toward a dangerous path of authoritarianism and regional conflict.
Pakistan now stands at a historic crossroads.
Will the next five years mark a rebirth or a breakdown, stability or suppression, progress or peril?
Time—and General Munir’s actions—will decide.
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