Asim Munir: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = [[General (Pakistan)|General]]

| honorific-suffix = [[Nishan-i-Imtiaz|NI(M)]], [[Hilal-e-Imtiaz|HI(M)]]<ref name="COAS Name">{{Cite web |title=Lt General Asim Munir |url=https://ispr.gov.pk/chief-of-army-staff |website=www.ispr.gov.pk |language=en}}</ref>

| native_name = {{nobold|عاصم منیر}}<ref name="COAS Name">{{Cite web |title=Lt General Asim Munir |url=https://ispr.gov.pk/chief-of-army-staff |website=www.ispr.gov.pk |language=en}}</ref>

| image = General Asim Munir (Pakistan).jpg

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| term_end2 = 6 October 2021

| president2 = [[Arif Alvi]]

| office3 = ~~'''23rd'''~~28th [[Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence|Director General of the ISI]]

| term_start3 = 25 October 2018

| term_end3 = 16 June 2019

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| term_end4 = 24 October 2018

| president4 = [[Mamnoon Hussain]]

| predecessor4 = [[~~Major general|~~Major General]] Nadeem Zaki Manj

| successor4 = [[~~Major general|~~Major General]] [[Sarfraz Ali (~~military officer~~general)|~~Sarfaraz~~Sarfraz Ali]]

| office5 = Commander [[Force Command Northern Areas]]

| president5 = [[Mamnoon Hussain]]

| term_start5 = October 2014

| term_end5 = December 2016

| predecessor5 = [[~~Major general|~~Major General]] Hafiz Masroor Ahmad

| successor5 = [[~~Major general|~~Major General]] Saqib Mehmood Malik

}}

| ~~allegiance~~branch = {{~~flag|Pakistan~~army|~~23px~~PAK}}

~~| branch = {{army|Pakistan|23px}}~~

| serviceyears = 1986–present

| rank = [[File:OF-9 Pakistan Army.svg|10px]][[File:General of Armies insignia.svg|30px]] [[General (Pakistan)|General]]

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*[[JGSDF Camp Takigahara|Fuji School Japan]]

*[[Malaysian Armed Forces]] College<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1013247-lt-gen-asim-munir-a-brief-profile|title=COAS pick: Lt Gen Asim Munir — a brief profile|date=24 November 2022|website=The News International|accessdate=18 December 2022}}</ref>

| battles = {{tree list}}
*[[Insurgency in Balochistan]]

*[[Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad]]

*[[War in North-West Pakistan]]

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*[[2024 Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes]]

*[[Operation Azm-e-Istehkam]]

| mawards = [[File:Nishan-e-Imtiaz.png|20px]] {{small|[[Nishan-e-Imtiaz]]}}<br>[[File:Hilal-e-Imtiaz.png|20px]] {{small|[[Hilal-i-Imtiaz]]}}<br>[[File:Sword of Honor.png|20px]] [[Sword of Honour (Pakistan)]]

| birth_place = [[Rawalpindi]], [[Pakistan]]

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|date=30 November 2022

|access-date=13 February 2024

}}</ref><ref name="COAS Name">{{Cite web |title=Lt General Asim Munir |url=https://ispr.gov.pk/chief-of-army-staff |website=www.ispr.gov.pk |language=en}}</ref> [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|NI(M)]], [[Hilal-i-Imtiaz|HI(M)]] ({{lang-ur|سید عاصم منیر احمد شاہ

}}; born 1968)<ref name="COAS Name">{{Cite web |title=Lt General Asim Munir |url=https://ispr.gov.pk/chief-of-army-staff |website=www.ispr.gov.pk |language=en}}</ref> is a Pakistani [[general]] and the current [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] since 29 November 2022.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Lt General Asim Munir set to become next army chief, govt announces |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1013235-lt-general-asim-munir-set-to-become-next-army-chief-govt-announces |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}</ref> Before becoming the army chief, he was posted at the [[General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)|GHQ]] as [[Quartermaster general]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1705151 | title=Who will be the next army chief? | date=16 August 2022 }}</ref> He commanded the [[XXX Corps (Pakistan)|XXX Corps]] in [[Gujranwala]] from 17 June 2019 to 6 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=5339|title=Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan|website=www.ispr.gov.pk|access-date=2019-06-16}}</ref> He served as the ~~23rd~~28th [[Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence|Director-General of the ISI]] until he was replaced by [[Lieutenant general (Pakistan)|lieutenant general]] [[Faiz Hameed]] on 16 June 2019.<ref>[https://nation.com.pk/17-Jun-2019/reshuffle-in-army-top-brass Reshuffle in army top brass] 17 June 2019, The Nation.</ref> Munir received the [[Sword of Honour (Pakistan)|Sword of Honour]] for his performance as a cadet in the [[Officers Training School]] (OTS), [[Mangla]].<ref name="GeoNews">{{Cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=A brief look at General Asim Munir's career |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/454445-a-brief-look-at-lt-gen-asim-munirs-career |website=[[Geo News]]}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==

Munir was born in [[Rawalpindi]], [[Punjab, Pakistan]] to a [[Punjabi ~~Muslim~~people|Punjabi]] family, with their roots lying in [[Jalandhar]], [[Punjab, India]], from where his parents migrated following the 1947 partition of India. They moved to [[Toba Tek Singh]] before settling down in [[Rawalpindi]]'s Dheri Hassanabad. His ~~late~~ father, Syed Sarwar Munir, was the principal of the FG Technical High School, [[Lalkurti]], Rawalpindi and the imam of a mosque, Masjid-al-Quraish, situated in a locality of Dheri Hassanabad, where he often delivered the [[Khutbah|Friday Khutbah sermon]]. Munir has two siblings, Syed Qasim Munir and Syed Hashim Munir. One of his brothers is a government school teacher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Jalandhar (India) to Rawalpindi: family profile of new Army Chief General Asim Munir |url=https://www.unewstv.com/234977/from-jalandhar-india-to-rawalpindi-family-profile-of-new-army-chief-general-asim-munir |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=UNewsTv |language=en-US}}</ref>

Munir got his early religious education in a [[Madrasa|traditional Islamic seminary]] in Rawalpindi, the Markazi Madrasah Dar-ul-Tajweed, in his youth also being a local [[Cricket|cricketer]] as a [[Fast bowling|fast bowler]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=COAS Asim Munir played cricket in Rawalpindi's Dheri Hassanabad |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/455475-coas-asim-munir-played-cricket-in-rawalpindis-dheri-hassanabad |website=[[Geo News]]}}</ref>

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==Military service==

Munir is from the 17th course of the [[Officers Training School]] (OTS) in [[Mangla]]. He was commissioned in the 23rd Battalion of the [[Frontier Force Regiment]]. He started his military career on 25 April 1986.

As a [[lieutenant colonel]], Munir served in [[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] as part of the close defence cooperation between [[Riyadh]] and [[Islamabad]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-24 |title=Who is Lt Gen Asim Munir? |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/676422-Who-is-Lt-Gen-Asim-Munir |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=Dunya News |language=en}}</ref> and also served in the [[Siachen Glacier]].

While he was a [[brigadier]], he served as the chief of staff of Pakistan's [[I Corps (Pakistan)|I Strike Corps Mangla]], and commanded an infantry brigade in the [[Gilgit-Baltistan|Northern Areas]]. He was promoted to the rank of [[Major ~~general|major-~~general]] in 2014 and served as the commander of the [[Force Command Northern Areas|troops deployed in the Northern Areas of Pakistan]].

Munir also served as the director-general of [[Military Intelligence of Pakistan|Military Intelligence]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-25 |title=Gen Asim Munir is first Pak Army chief to have headed both ISI, MI |url=https://www.siasat.com/gen-asim-munir-is-first-pak-army-chief-to-have-headed-both-isi-mi-2465639/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=The Siasat Daily |language=en-US}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Hilal-i-Imtiaz]] in March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=President confers 58 military, 73 civil awards |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/296052-president-confers-58-military-73-civil-awards |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}</ref> Munir was promoted to the rank of [[lieutenant general]] in September 2018 and was subsequently appointed as [[Inter-Services Intelligence|DG ISI]]. In June 2019, Munir was replaced by Lt. Gen. [[Faiz Hameed]] as the new DG ISI. Subsequently, Munir was appointed as corps commander of [[XXX Corps (Pakistan)|XXX Corps]] in [[Gujranwala]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1488673 | title=Faiz made ISI chief in military shake-up | date=17 June 2019 }}</ref> From 2021 to November 2022, Lt-General Munir was posted at GHQ as the Quartermaster General of Pakistan Army. In November 2022, Lieutenant General Munir was promoted to the four-star [[General officer|general]] rank and appointed as the [[Chief of the Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of the Army Staff]] of the [[Pakistan Army]].

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Munir’s tenure as DG-ISI is the shortest in the country’s history. It is alleged Munir was removed by [[Qamar Javed Bajwa]] under pressure from [[Imran Khan]] when Munir claimed to have exposed the corruption of Khan’s wife, [[Bushra Bibi]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-06 |title=Imran Khan Antagonized By Gen Asim Exposing Corruption Of Bushra Bibi, Farah Gogi: Aleem Khan |url=https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2023/07/06/imran-khan-antagonized-by-gen-asim-exposing-corruption-of-bushra-bibi-farah-gogi-aleem-khan/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Friday Times |language=en}}</ref>

However, Khan called this allegation “completely false”, further explaining in a tweet on [[Twitter|X]] that “this is completely false. Neither did Gen Asim show me any proof of my wife’s corruption nor did I make him resign because of that.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-21 |title=~~‘Completely~~'Completely ~~false’~~false': Imran on ~~‘rumours’~~'rumours' about him removing COAS Munir as DG ISI in 2019 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1754832 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

== Chief of Army Staff (2022-present) ==

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===Handling of political crisis===

In May 2023, [[Imran Khan]] was [[Arrest of Imran Khan|arrested]], when he was released on bail, Asim Munir found himself under direct criticism from Imran Khan, with Khan accusing him of “dismantling the future of this country [Pakistan] to protect himself.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=The populist vs the general: Imran Khan takes on ~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's military |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ff773270-7a48-4be3-8c87-88c9b247f4e3 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref> Following the arrest of Imran Khan, reports emerged indicating a division within the Pakistan Army.<ref name="theprint/19may23">{{cite news |last1=Bagchi |first1=Dishha |title=~~‘Gutter~~'Gutter ~~language’~~language' — US diplomat slams Pakistan army chief over 'closed-door tirade' after 9 May violence |url=https://theprint.in/world/gutter-language-ex-us-envoy-slams-pakistan-army-chief-over-closed-door-tirade-after-9-may-violence/1583576/ |access-date=3 May 2024 |work=ThePrint |date=19 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shaikh |first1=Farzana |title=~~It’s~~It's no wonder that many in Pakistan now fear for the fate of Imran Khan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2023/may/10/imran-khan-pakistan-arrest-army |access-date=3 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=10 May 2023}}</ref>

Khan’s arrest resulted in the [[May 9 riots]], where military installations were attacked, looted, and ransacked.<ref>{{Cite web |title=~~Khan’s~~Khan's supporters protest ex-~~PM’s~~PM's arrest across Pakistan |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/9/protests-erupt-in-pakistan-cities-after-imran-khan-arrest |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Munir visited the places where rioting had occurred, and vowed that such an event would never reoccur.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-22 |title=Army chief denounces May 9 mayhem as ~~‘intolerable’~~'intolerable' |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2418015/army-chief-denounces-may-9-mayhem-as-intolerable?amp=1 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-20 |title=COAS vows no mercy for May 9 rioters and vandals |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2417738/coas-vows-no-mercy-for-may-9-rioters-and-vandals?amp=1 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shirazi |first=Iftikhar |date=2023-05-17 |title=COAS vows ~~‘orchestrated~~'orchestrated tragic ~~incidents’~~incidents' of May 9 ~~won’t~~won't be allowed again ~~‘at~~'at any ~~cost’~~cost' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1753903 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref> Munir’s reaction lead to the attempt of trying civilians under military courts, which received criticism from international observers as military courts are not seen as impartial and fair.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-31 |title=Pakistan: ~~Don’t~~Don't Try Civilians in Military Courts {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/31/pakistan-dont-try-civilians-military-courts |access-date=2024-02-22 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=HRW urges Pakistan to not try civilians in military courts |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/31/hrw-urges-pakistan-to-not-try-civilians-in-military-courts |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan Faces Backlash Over Plans to Try Civilians in Military Courts |url=https://www.voanews.com/amp/pakistan-faces-backlash-over-plans-to-try-civilians-in-military-courts-/7096185.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.voanews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-16 |title=Pakistan: Civilians must not be tried under military laws |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/05/pakistan-civilians-must-not-be-tried-under-military-laws/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Amnesty International |language=en}}</ref>

===Handling of economic crisis===

Munir has been adamant on solving [[Pakistani economic crisis (2022–present)|the economic crisis in Pakistan]] by setting up the [[Special Investment Facilitation Council]], intending to bring in billions of dollars of investment from abroad, especially Pakistan's [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|gulf allies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Report |first=Recorder |date=2023-09-04 |title=COAS explains to businesspeople SIFC potential |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40261369 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}</ref> The economic crisis, led to the [[Pakistani rupee]] devaluing to its weakest in its history, valuing at 308 per dollar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=Dollar scales to record high, inches above 300 against PKR in interbank |url=https://arab.news/p4e64 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> As a measure to strengthen the rupee, he initiated [[2023 crackdown against illicit activities in Pakistan|crackdowns]] on the black market, which had been selling dollars illegally, which was harming the rupee.<ref>{{Cite news |last=RFE/RL |title=Pakistan Cracks Down On Illegal Currency Markets After Rupee Falls |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-cracks-down-illegal-currency-markets/32587264.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}}</ref> These crackdowns were successful, and the Pakistani rupee had rebounded to become the world’s best-performing currency in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shan |first=Lee Ying |date=2023-10-18 |title=This currency is now the ~~world’s~~world's top performer, after rebounding from record lows |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/18/pakistani-rupee-jumps-from-record-lows-to-worlds-top-performing-fx.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

=== Visit to the United States ===

[[File:Acting Deputy Secretary Nuland Meets with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Munir - 53397993500.jpg|thumb|Munir and Lt. Gen. [[Nadeem Anjum]] meeting US Secretary of State [[Antony Blinken]].]]

Munir visited the [[United States]] in December 2023, being hosted by the US Secretary of Defense, [[Lloyd Austin]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, [[Charles Q. Brown Jr.|Charles Q. Brown]], and US Deputy National Security Adviser, [[Jonathan Finer]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan, US 'intend to increase interaction' as Pakistani army chief visits Washington |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-us-intend-to-increase-interaction-as-pakistani-army-chief-visits-washington/3083678 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref> Munir reemphasised [[Pakistan–United States relations|ties with the United States]], which were under strain during former prime minister Imran Khan’s premiership.<ref>{{Cite ~~web~~magazine |date=2024-02-05 |title=Why the U.S. ~~Doesn’t~~Doesn't Seem to Care About Imran Khan or ~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's Unfair Election |url=https://time.com/6663747/pakistan-imran-khan-election-democracy-us/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |~~website~~magazine=TIME |language=en}}</ref> The US reaffirmed Pakistan as an "[[Major non-NATO ally|ally]]" and expressed support for its commitments to regional security and defence cooperation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iqbal |first=Anwar |date=2023-12-13 |title=With COAS in Washington, US reaffirms ~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's ~~‘ally’~~'ally' status |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1797413 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Munir is a [[Muslims|Muslim]], and he is deemed as a conservative figure regarding religion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kugelman |first=Michael |date=2024-01-01 |title=~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's Army Chief Comes to Washington |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/13/pakistan-army-chief-visit-washington-asim-munir/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> Despite his affinity to [[Islam]], he has stressed the need for combating against [[Islamic extremism]], providing a safe nation for Pakistan’s [[Religious Minorities in Pakistan|religious minorities]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army chief meets religious scholars, says no space for extremism against minorities in Pakistan |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2410641/amp |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>

Munir's family are locally known as a [[Hafiz (Quran)|hafiz]] family, as its many members are known to have memorised the entire Qu’ran by heart, including Munir, who did so during his posting in Saudi Arabia as a Lieutenant-Colonel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johny |first=Stanly |date=27 November 2022 |title=Syed Asim Munir {{!}} The spymaster-turned-Army chief |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/syed-asim-munir-the-spymaster-turned-army-chief/article66188878.ece |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

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== Views ==

=== Foreign policy ===

Munir's foreign policy, or "the Munir doctrine", has been described as trying to shift away from the traditional choice between the [[United States]] and [[China]] as a primary geopolitical partner, and centred around three key points: to have a softer image of Pakistan, to transform it into a regional middle power, especially as a security actor, and to prioritize [[geoeconomics]] over geopolitics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sulehria |first=Naad-e-Ali |date=14 December 2023 |title=~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's military and foreign policy under Gen. Asim Munir |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/pakistans-military-and-foreign-policy-under-gen-asim-munir |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125191543/https://www.mei.edu/publications/pakistans-military-and-foreign-policy-under-gen-asim-munir |archive-date=25 January 2024 |access-date= |website=[[Middle East Institute]]}}</ref>

He has been critical of Pakistan's neighbours, arguing that Afghanistan did not support Pakistan’s admission to the [[United Nations]] following independence and has historically supported the [[insurgency in Balochistan]]. Regarding India, he stated that "India has not reconciled with the [[Two-nation theory|concept of Pakistan]], then how can we reconcile with them?"<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=25 January 2024 |title=COAS sets out foreign policy redlines |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454331/coas-sets-out-foreign-policy-redlines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125191404/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454331/coas-sets-out-foreign-policy-redlines |archive-date=25 January 2024 |access-date= |website=[[The Express Tribune]]}}</ref>

=== “Pakistan first” policy ===

Munir is described as having a “Pakistan first” policy,<ref>{{Cite web |last=desk |first=News source |date=2024-02-05 |title=General Asim Munir: Torch-bearer of ~~‘Pakistan~~'Pakistan ~~first’~~first' policy |url=https://pakobserver.net/general-asim-munir-torch-bearer-of-pakistan-first-policy/ |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Pakistan Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> taking a defensive stance against many of Pakistan’s adversaries. After the [[2024 Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes]], Munir reiterated that Pakistan would respond to such altercations, stating that "You [Iran] cannot backstab us, and if you do, you will get a befitting reply.”<ref name=":1" />

Munir is also regarded as carrying a heavy [[Anti-Afghan sentiment|anti-Afghan attitude]], supporting the deportation of 1.7 million illegal [[Afghan refugees]].<ref name=":0" />

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=== Social conservatism ===

While speaking to a gathering of students from various public and private sector universities of the country, Munir appeared as a [[Social conservatism|social conservative]], warning the youth against [[social media]] and [[Westernization]], eventually asking that "If we want to adopt [[Western culture|Western civilization]], then why did we get rid of [[Hinduism|Hindu civilization]]?".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=Shahbaz |date=24 January 2024 |title=Elected govt ~~doesn’t~~doesn't get a free pass: COAS |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454258/coas-munir-warns-youth-against-pitfalls-of-social-media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125191509/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2454258/coas-munir-warns-youth-against-pitfalls-of-social-media |archive-date=25 January 2024 |access-date= |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>

===Freedom of expression===

In May 2024, Munir expressed concerns regarding "negative propaganda" on social media platforms and affirmed the military's readiness to address any threats or conspiracies. He also strongly denounced the dissemination of "disinformation" in Pakistan's cyberspace.<ref>{{cite news |title=~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's army chief speaks out against ~~‘negative~~'negative ~~propaganda’~~propaganda' on social media platforms |url=https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2447396/pakistan |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=Arab News PK |date=24 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Munir emphasized that the military understands its constitutional boundaries, and he urged others to also abide by the limits outlined in the constitution. He pointed to Article 19 of the [[Constitution of Pakistan]], which delineates restrictions on freedom of expression, including the prohibition of incitement to violence and attempts to undermine the integrity, security, or defense of Pakistan, among other provisions.<ref>{{cite news

|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2464862/army-well-aware-of-constitutional-limits-expect-same-from-others-coas

|title=Army well aware of constitutional limits, expect same from others: COAS

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}}</ref><ref>{{cite book

|title=The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

|url=https://~~www~~books.google.com/books~~/edition/The_Constitution_of_the_Islamic_Republic/R3m5zgEACAAJ~~?hlid=enR3m5zgEACAAJ

|date=9 September 2021

|publisher=Creative Media Partners, LLC

|isbn=978-1-01-402712-2

}}</ref>

===Social media===

In April 2024, Munir warned that negative propaganda and social media trolls would not be able to deter them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Negative propaganda and social media trolls can't deter us: Army chief |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/27-Apr-2024/negative-propaganda-and-social-media-trolls-can-t-deter-us-army-chief |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=The Nation |date=27 April 2024}}</ref> In May 2024, he cautioned that "inimical" forces and their supporters had unleashed "digital terrorism" and were intensifying efforts to sow discord between the Pakistan Armed Forces and the public by spreading "lies, fake news, and propaganda."<ref>{{cite news |title='Digital terrorism' trying to create void between public, military, warns Pakistan's army chief |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/-digital-terrorism-trying-to-create-void-between-public-military-warns-pakistans-army-chief/3215013 |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=www.aa.com.tr |date=9 May 2024}}</ref>

In August 2024, Munir warned that social media was being exploited to propagate “anarchy.” His remarks that “Anarchy is spread through social media” followed a condemnation by the ISPR of social media campaigns to target the Pakistan Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anarchy is spread through social media: COAS Munir |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1850918/anarchy-is-spread-through-social-media-coas-munir |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=8 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He also issued a warning against efforts to incite chaos within the country. [[The Tribune (India)]] highlighted that his comments followed social media posts drawing parallels between Pakistan’s current situation and the [[Non-cooperation_movement_(2024)#Resignation_of_Sheikh_Hasina|downfall of Sheikh Hasina’s government]] in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Army Chief Gen Asim Munir warns against attempts to create Bangladesh-type chaos |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/pakistans-army-chief-gen-asim-munir-warns-against-attempts-to-create-bangladesh-type-chaos/ |access-date=8 August 2024 |work=The Tribune (India) |date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

On August 14, while addressing a parade on country's [[Independence Day (Pakistan)|Independence Day]], Munir reiterated his criticism of social media, warning that it was being used to spread chaos and false information targeting the Pakistan Armed Forces. He also attributed this "digital terrorism" to foreign elements.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army chief General Asim Munir sees foreign hand in 'digital terrorism' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1852174/army-chief-general-asim-munir-sees-foreign-hand-in-digital-terrorism |access-date=14 August 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=14 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

On 21 August, Munir stated that it is the state's duty to shield the public from the adverse effects of social media-driven "hysteria" and "fitna." ''DAWN'' reported that this statement was part of a series of warnings from Munir and the Pakistani military concerning the potential "dangers" with social media.<ref name="dawn/21aug24">{{cite news |title=State responsibility to protect public from social media's negative implications, army chief says |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1853768/state-responsibility-to-protect-public-from-social-medias-negative-implications-army-chief-says |access-date=21 August 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=21 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Public image ==

===Appraisals===

Munir has been a polarising figure. He is applauded by some individuals for [[2023 Pakistan crackdown|cracking down]] on dollar hoarding and smuggling,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistani Minister Concedes Security Personnel Involved in Smuggling |url=https://www.voanews.com/amp/pakistani-minister-concedes-security-personnel-involved-in-smuggling/7293678.html |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.voanews.com}}</ref> which strengthened the [[Pakistani rupee]], causing it to be the world’s top-performing currency of September 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shahid |first=Ariba |date=2023-09-28 |title=FX clampdown boosts Pakistani rupee 6.1% to become September's top currency |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/fx-clampdown-boosts-pakistani-rupee-61-become-septembers-top-currency-2023-09-28/ |access-date=2023-12-02}}</ref> Additionally, he contributed to the set up of the [[Special Investment Facilitation Council]], which aims to bring billions of dollars of investment from overseas, especially from the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf states]],<ref>{{Cite web |~~last~~last1=Chakraborty |~~first~~first1=Debdutta |last2=ThePrint |date=2023-11-28 |title='Well done army chief'—Pakistan general hailed for $25 billion deals with UAE, stocks soar |url=https://theprint.in/go-to-pakistan/well-done-army-chief-pakistan-general-hailed-for-25-billion-deals-with-uae-stocks-soar/1862437/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> that are desperately needed amidst the [[2022–2023 Pakistani economic crisis|economic crisis]].

=== Criticism ===

However, Munir is accused of intervening in civil politics,<ref>{{Cite news |title=~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's army is back in charge of politics |~~work~~newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/08/10/pakistans-army-is-back-in-charge-of-politics |access-date=2023-12-02 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> despite only being trusted with the nation’s security and defence. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-08 |title=Imran Khan's supporters are silenced but determined |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66436731 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Munir has also allegedly suppressed the [[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] political party led by [[Imran Khan]]. In the aftermath of [[May 9 riots]], following the arrest of Imran Khan on corruption allegations, Munir used military courts for civilians who rebelled against the army.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Imran Khan alleges ~~‘reign~~'reign of ~~terror’~~terror' as supporters face trial in military courts {{!}} Imran Khan {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/19/pakistan-thousands-imran-khan-supporters-arrested-hundreds-face-trial |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>

On May 20, 2023, Munir announced that the “legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/undermining-justice-court-martialing-civilians-pakistan|publisher=Wilson Center |title= Undermining Justice: Court-Martialing Civilians in Pakistan |date=2023-05-05 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref> Furthermore, Munir exhorted army professionals to root out PTI inclined individuals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stratnewsglobal.com/articles/pak-army-chief-asim-munir-to-invoke-army-act-to-dock-masterminds-of-may-9-revolt/|publisher=StratNews Global |title= Pak Army Chief Asim Munir To Invoke Army Act To Dock Masterminds Of May 9 Revolt |date=2023-06-08 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref> Human rights organizations raised the concerns that military trials lack the necessary safeguards and transparency, thereby exposing to the risk of potential miscarriages of justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/undermining-justice-court-martialing-civilians-pakistan|publisher=Wilson Center |title= Undermining Justice: Court-Martialing Civilians in Pakistan |date=2023-06-05 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1759648 |title= HRCP concerned at NA resolution for trials in military courts |date=2023-06-14 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref> In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the trial of civilians in military courts as null and void, thereby drawing a legal line between the civilian and military domain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1783244/sc-strikes-down-military-justice-for-civilians|publisher=Dawn News |title= SC strikes down ~~‘military~~'military ~~justice’~~justice' for civilians |date=2023-10-24 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1783552|publisher=Dawn News |title= Military courts |date=2023-10-25 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref>

In addition, he has also been criticised for the [[Deportation of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan|deportation of illegal Afghan refugees]], which he condones,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=~~‘Security~~'Security of every Pakistani ~~important’~~important': Army chief Gen Munir amid imminent deportation of migrants |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/security-of-every-pakistani-important-army-chief-gen-munir-amid-imminent-deportation-of-migrants-13303202.html/amp |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref> despite their tough conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=Pakistan: Widespread Abuses Force Afghans to Leave {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/28/pakistan-widespread-abuses-force-afghans-leave |access-date=2023-12-02 |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2024, American Congressman [[Ro Khanna]] condemned the targeting of family members of pro-democracy American activists in Pakistan by military personnel and called for sanctions against Pakistani military leaders, including Munir.<ref name="theintercept/27june24" />

=== Reputation ===

On his appointment as COAS, [[Al Jazeera Media Network|''Al-Jazeera'']] described Munir as an officer with an "impeccable reputation", while ''[[The Times of India]]'' described him as a "tough guy" for his hawkish attitude.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=Who is Asim Munir, ~~Pakistan’s~~Pakistan's new army chief? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/24/who-is-asim-munir-pakistans-new-army-chief |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharan |first=Sunil |title=Asim Munir: The tough guy who became Pakistani army chief |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/strategic-insights/asim-munir-the-tough-guy-who-became-pakistani-army-chief/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

Munir also holds the reputation of a “hardliner”, with his subordinates stating he maintains a “cult status” among soldiers he has managed due to his strictness.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Nawaz |first=Shuja |title=The Battle of Pakistan |date=23 July 2024 |publisher=Rowman and Littlefield |year= |isbn=9781538142059 |location=Maryland |publication-date= |pages=263 |language=English}}</ref>

==Controversies==

===Allegations by Zalmay Khalilzad===

On 19 May 2023, [[Zalmay Khalilzad]] alleged on Twitter that during his visit to the [[Sialkot Cantonment]], where several military installations were targeted in the May 9 riots, Munir issued threats against senior officers. Khalilzad claimed that Munir warned the families of those who participated in the riots, stating that if he “goes down he will take others down with him”.<ref name="theprint/19may23">{{cite news |last1=Bagchi |first1=Dishha |title=~~‘Gutter~~'Gutter ~~language’~~language' — US diplomat slams Pakistan army chief over 'closed-door tirade' after 9 May violence |url=https://theprint.in/world/gutter-language-ex-us-envoy-slams-pakistan-army-chief-over-closed-door-tirade-after-9-may-violence/1583576/ |access-date=3 May 2024 |work=ThePrint |date=19 May 2023}}</ref>

Subsequently, Khalilzad faced criticism from Pakistani government and various politicians who labeled his remarks as controversial and false. Various people, including senators and defence analysts, challenged him on his claims, and asked him for evidence. The [[United States Department of State]] then clarified that Khalilzad did not represent American foreign policy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ali|first1=Shafqat|title=Zalmay Khalilzad rebuked, told to mind his own business|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/20-May-2023/zalmay-khalilzad-rebuked-told-to-mind-his-own-business|access-date=3 May 2024 |work=The Nation |date=20 May 2023}}</ref>

Line 206 ⟶ 215:

On 7 April 2024, [[Imran Khan]], speaking to reporters while incarcerated, claimed that there was a conspiracy to assassinate him during his imprisonment and implied that "his fate was in the hands of Gen. Asim Munir". He stated “Let it be known that if anything happens to me or my wife, it’ll be him who will be responsible.”<ref>{{cite news |title=Chuck Schumer Privately Warns Pakistan: Don't Kill Imran Khan in Prison |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/04/23/chuck-schumer-imran-khan-prison-pakistan/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The Intercept |date=23 April 2024}}</ref> Khan alleged that his wife, [[Bushra Bibi]] had been poisoned during her incarceration in early 2024, however, according to her personal physician, no evidence of poisoning was found during medical checkup.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 April 2024 |title=No Evidence of Bushra Bibi Being Poisoned, Says Personal Physician |url=https://www.news18.com/world/no-evidence-of-bushra-bibi-being-poisoned-says-personal-physician-8840882.html |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=5 April 2024 |title=No evidence that Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi was poisoned in jail: Medical Report |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/pakistans-imran-khan-wife-bushra-bibi-poisoning-13756530.html |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref>

Khan also alleged that a "London plan" had been devised between Munir and Nawaz Sharif,<ref>{{cite news |date=6 April 2024 |title=Imran compares current political climate to that of East Pakistan |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2461868/imran-compares-current-political-climate-to-that-of-east-pakistan |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> aimed at sidelining the PTI and resolving the legal cases against Sharif.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 January 2024 |title=SC is executing London Plan: Imran |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453346/sc-is-executing-london-plan-imran |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=The Express Tribune}}</ref> On 17 April, Imran Khan blamed Munir for the incarceration of his wife, and said, "If anything happens to her, I will not leave Asim Munir, I will not leave Asim Munir as long as I am alive. I will expose his unconstitutional and illegal steps." Bibi was found guilty in a corruption trial and also for unlawfully marrying Khan, each by separate courts. Instead of serving her sentence in [[Adiala Jail]], she was permitted to serve it at her residence in [[Bani Gala]], [[Islamabad]].<ref>{{cite news |title=~~‘As~~'As Long ~~As…’~~As…': Jailed Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan Warns Army Chief Over ~~Wife’s~~Wife's Detention |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/asia/as-long-as-jailed-ex-pak-pm-imran-khan-warns-army-chief-over-wifes-detention-article-109381779 |access-date=17 April 2024 |work=TimesNow |date=17 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="If Anything Happens To My Wife...": Ex Pak PM Imran Khan Warns Army Chief |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/if-anything-happens-to-my-wife-ex-pak-pm-imran-khan-warns-army-chief-5463852 |access-date=17 April 2024 |work=NDTV.com |date=17 April 2024}}</ref>

On 2 May, Khan conveyed through an article for [[The Daily Telegraph]], that while incarcerated, the military establishment, led directly by Munir, employed various tactics to diminish his party's influence within Pakistan's political landscape. He stated that "the military establishment has done all they could against me. All that is left for them is to now murder me."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Imran |title=All ~~that’s~~that's left for them now is to murder me – but ~~I’m~~I'm not afraid to die |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/02/imran-khan-pakistan-jail-not-afraid-die-general-asim-munir/ |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=2 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Farmer |first1=Ben |title=Exclusive: Imran Khan hits out at ~~‘laughing~~'laughing ~~stock’~~stock' government from his prison cell |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/02/imran-khan-hits-out-laughing-stock-pakistan-from-prison/ |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=2 May 2024}}</ref>

In June 2024, Khan accused Munir of violating an agreement to stay politically neutral in Pakistani politics and claimed that Munir's appointment as army chief was contingent on this neutrality, which then President of Pakistan, [[Arif Alvi]] could have blocked but didn't after Munir's promise. Khan also alleged a conspiracy between Munir and [[Nawaz Sharif]], suggesting they cooperated against him in exchange for dropping corruption charges against Sharif, which led to Sharif's exile.<ref name="theintercept/27june24">{{cite news |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |last2=Hussain |first2=Murtaza |title=From Prison, Imran Khan Says Top Pakistani General Betrayed Secret Deal to Stay Out of Politics |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/06/27/imran-khan-pakistan-asim-munir-secret-deal/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=The Intercept |date=27 June 2024}}</ref>

Line 214 ⟶ 223:

Khan also accused Munir of ordering [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] (ISI) agents to assassinate him and covering up these attempts by suppressing a police investigation and burying CCTV footage from a court appearance in March 2023<ref name="theintercept/27june24" /> during a violent confrontation between his supporters and authorities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goldbaum |first1=Christina |last2=Masood |first2=Salman |title=Chaos Breaks Out as Imran Khan Makes Court Appearance |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/18/world/asia/imran-khan-pakistan-court.html |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=18 March 2023}}</ref> Khan also criticized Munir for allegedly obstructing an independent investigation into the [[Attempted assassination of Imran Khan|attempted assassination]] in November 2022.<ref name="theintercept/27june24" />

=== ~~Interference~~Allegation of interference in judiciary ===

In his 2020 book, The Battle for Pakistan, Shuja Nawaz stated that Munir "was reported to have been behind the sacking of a high court judge who had been critical of the ISI."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nawaz |first=Shuja |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gk_VDwAAQBAJ |title=The Battle for Pakistan |date=10 April 2020 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |year=2020 |isbn=9781538142059 |location=Maryland, United States of America |pages=263 |quote= More importantly in the context of the civil-military tensions, he was reported to have been behind the sacking of a high court judge who had been critical of the ISI.|language=English}}</ref> However, [[Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui]] clarified that his removal occurred before Munir’s appointment as ISI head and attributed his sacking to former Chief Justices [[Saqib Nisar]] and [[Asif Saeed Khosa]], and then-DG-C ISI Major General [[Faiz Hameed]]. Siddiqui stated that Shuja Nawaz’s account was incorrect and emphasized that Munir was not involved in his dismissal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Justice Shaukat Siddiqui clarifies Lt Gen Asim Munir wasn't behind his sacking |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/1014267-justice-shaukat-siddiqui-clarifies-lt-gen-asim-munir-wasn-t-behind-his-sacking |access-date=26 July 2024 |work=The News International |date=27 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Asim Munir has been accused of violating constitutional grounds and being involved in the sacking of Islamabad High Court judge, [[Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui]], after Siddiqui accused the [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] of overthrowing the [[Nawaz Sharif|Nawaz Sharif government]].<ref name=":2" />

==Dates of promotion==