Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir faces growing unpopularity

Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir has become one of the most unpopular military rulers in the country’s recent history, presiding over a fractured economy, restricted media, and increasing polarization. Unlike his predecessors, Munir has failed to gain civilian support, and his leadership is marked by a lack of legitimacy.

Reports suggest Munir has resorted to divisive tactics, turning ethnicity and regional identity into political tools to maintain control. His rhetoric has increasingly targeted Pashtuns, Afghans, and people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, linking them to internal insecurity and “Talibanisation,” thus deepening societal divisions.

Munir’s position is fragile, with political control fused with military obedience. The judiciary is powerless, and police and intelligence agencies are used to suppress dissent. The 2024 elections, marred by rigging, highlighted the lack of electoral legitimacy. Meanwhile, media self-censors, and protests and strikes grow in regions like Balochistan and Kashmir, exposing a society unraveling under economic hardship. The sense of alienation, especially among youth, continues to rise, warning of growing unrest.