Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Pakistan's Army Chief Gains More Power, Raising Concerns About Democracy
Pakistan's army chief has been given more powers and won't have to leave his job when his term ends.
This is worrying because it might mean the army is taking over the country's government, which could hurt democracy.
The prime minister and president let this happen, even though they had worked hard to gain power over the army in the past.
Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, has been granted additional powers and lifelong immunity from prosecution.
He is now the sole charge of the country's nuclear weapons systems and has a fresh five-year term as Chief of Defence Forces.
This comes after he was granted economic decision-making powers and elevated to the rank of Field Marshal.
Civilian leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari, have surrendered civilians' hard-won privileges to the army.
Critics argue that this is a subtle takeover of power by the military, damaging Pakistan's fragile democracy.
- Who
- Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, and civilian leaders Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari
- What
- Granted additional powers and lifelong immunity to the army chief
- When
- Last week
- Where
- Pakistan
- Why
- To keep the military satisfied and to counter the threat of the unstable populist Imran Khan
Pro-Military
Pro-Democracy
Army's Role in Stability
Pro-Military
The military is necessary for maintaining stability and countering threats like Imran Khan.
Pro-Democracy
Granting more power to the military damages democracy and undermines civilian rule.
Economic Recovery
Pro-Military
The military's involvement in economic decision-making has helped stabilize the economy.
Pro-Democracy
The military's focus should be defense, not economics, to avoid overreach.
- Army Chief's New Role
- Chief of Defence Forces
- Additional Powers
- Economic decision-making, control of nuclear weapons, and a fresh five-year term
- Civilian Leaders' Stance
- Conscious of serving at the army chief's pleasure
- Imran Khan's Party's Performance
- Got the most seats in the last election despite leader's imprisonment
- Pakistan's Inflation Rate
- Around 3.6% year-on-year
