Even Pakistan Army Isn’t Sure If Asim Munir Is Still Its Chief – Could He Ignite A Conflict With India? | World News

Pakistan Military Leadership Vacuum: Pakistan’s political and military environment is facing a period of unprecedented uncertainty after the deadline for the appointment of the country’s first chief of defense forces (CDF) expired. Uncertainty around Field Marshal Asım Münir’s stance has triggered analysts’ concerns, with fears that his actions could destabilize regional security.

Speaking to ANI, Tilak Devasher, former member of Pakistan’s National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), warned that despite confusion over his official status, Munir could instigate an incident to assert his influence. He highlighted the risks of a leadership vacuum compounded by the army chief’s history of anti-India rhetoric.

“To prove his usefulness, he (Asim Munir) can instigate an incident. Even though technically he is not the Chief of Army Staff, he can still instigate. Who will challenge him? So, this is very inadequate and even a very serious situation for Pakistan. Because even the Army is not sure if he is the chief and if he thinks of instigating an incident with India, then what happens? So it is a dangerous situation,” he said.

Devasher attributed the delay in formalizing the appointment to the weakness of the Pakistani civilian government, which came under pressure from the military to create the CDF post.

“The truth is that the civilian leadership is too weak to oppose Munir and the army. So they are doing these tricks from the back door. If they were strong they could have said that they will not give him five years or make CDF. But this was passed by the Parliament under the pressure of the Army to create the post of CDF, which is also the head of the Land Forces, Air Force and Navy. So because of the weakness of the civilian government. So they have already spent three years, so by the time he finishes he will have completed eight years. From now on he can look for five years. People, “If it takes five years until 2030, they suspect it will continue until 2035.”

Meanwhile, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the media on Sunday that notification regarding CDF appointment will be issued “in due course” and the process has already begun, according to Dawn.

The post of CDF, created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replaces the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which officially expired on November 27. The new role combines responsibilities as both Army chief and CDF; this is a double-hatted position intended to facilitate command.

Observers expected the official notification to coincide with the removal of the CJCSC. But the crucial date of 29 November passed without any official appointment, marking the end of Munir’s original three-year term as Army commander.

Asif’s statement indicates that the appointment can now wait for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s return from London. Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar confirmed to Dawn that the Prime Minister is expected to return to Pakistan on Monday.

The current uncertainty has left Pakistan’s military and civilian leadership in a vulnerable position, raising alarms about potential risks not only within the country but across the region.