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Intelligence sources point out that Munir’s tenure has been marked by a litany of failures, as internal military tension and leadership crises within the Pakistan army have been evident
A leaked letter from junior and mid-ranking officers accused Munir of operational incompetence, corruption, political oppression, and economic mismanagement. (File image: AFP)
Pakistan’s army chief General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah’s comments on Kashmir have further strained his country’s diplomatic relations with India. Intelligence sources point out, though, that Munir’s tenure has been marked by a litany of failures as internal military tension and leadership crises within the Pakistan army have been evident. Economic collapse and governance failures have also marked this period. Security and counterterrorism failures have significantly worsened the situation, as Munir’s actions appeared to appease domestic terror groups. Top intelligence sources also cited his compulsion to raise religious issues.
A leaked letter from junior and mid-ranking officers accused Munir of operational incompetence, corruption, political oppression, and economic mismanagement. This letter revealed an unprecedented internal rebellion within the military ranks. The court-martial of former ISI chief Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed and Munir’s rivalry with Imran Khan exacerbated the situation, dividing the army and diminishing trust in the institution under his leadership. The military’s credibility significantly declined among the rank and file.
This situation is reminiscent of the 1971 East Pakistan crisis and serves as a warning of potential mutiny. Pakistan’s economy suffered from inflation, currency devaluation (with PKR hitting 308/USD), and low foreign reserves. Munir established the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to attract Gulf investments, but the results were limited. He also failed to address systemic corruption and mismanagement.
Political and electoral suppression further tarnished Munir’s reputation among local Pakistanis. His tenure began with mass arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances to suppress dissent following Imran Khan’s arrest in 2023. The 2024 general elections faced widespread criticism for rigging and military interference, with Imran Khan barred from participation and undue favours shown to PMLN. The Jaffar Express hijacking by the Baloch Liberation Army in March 2025 exposed operational incompetence. Additionally, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan attacks targeted military personnel and politicians, highlighting Munir’s inability to curb terrorism.
China’s public criticism over CPEC security failures damaged bilateral relations, further isolating Pakistan internationally. Pakistan faced international isolation and legal scrutiny, with the United States introducing the Pakistan Democracy Act 2025, seeking sanctions against Munir for human rights violations. Meanwhile, the UK investigated him for the Islamabad Massacre of 2024. Diplomatic ties with the US deteriorated over disagreements on economic governance and counterterrorism.
According to the sources, Munir’s failures drove his compulsions to speak on the Hindu issue at the Overseas Pakistani Conference, attended by PM Shehbaz Sharif. He aimed to divert attention from domestic issues and crises by opening a debate on religious identity. This move shifted scrutiny away from economic collapse and military failures, rallying nationalist sentiment and attempting to legitimise military dominance. By framing Pakistan as an Islamic state distinct from India, Munir sought to justify the army’s role as the guardian of ideology.
Hardline factions like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad used anti-Hindu statements to consolidate power, and Munir’s remarks aligned with this strategy, despite claims of fighting extremism. He sought to mobilise diaspora support, with both Munir and Shehbaz Sharif calling for reinforced loyalty among overseas Pakistanis. This diaspora contributed almost $4.1 billion in March 2025.
