Asim Munir: Pakistan's Most Powerful General, But Growing Internal Opposition and Army Discontent

International News: Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir made a controversial statement on 15 April, in which he described Kashmir as Pakistan's "throat vein" and also said that Kashmir would always be a part of Pakistan. There was widespread criticism in India for this statement, but on April 21, Pakistan -backed militants attacked Pahalgam in Jammu and killed 26 innocent Hindus. The terrorists asked the victims to read Kalma and later insulted them in a shameful manner.

The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terrorist organization, which has a deep connection with Lashkar-e-Taiba. After this cowardly attack, the name of Pakistan's Army and Intelligence Agency ISI is being taken prominently behind this attack.

Asim Munir: Fundamentalist and disputed Army Chief

Both the life and career of Pakistan's current Army Chief General Asim Munir have been surrounded in controversies. Munir belonged to an ordinary family,whose father was the principal in Rawalpindi school. Munir did his early education from Islamic madrasa and graduated from Mangala's Officers Training School in 1986. He then received a commission in Pakistan's Frontier Force Regiment and his military journey started.

Munir has also served as Pakistan's most important military intelligence agencies, ISI and head of Military Intelligence. He is the first army chief in Pakistan to serve as the head of these two sensitive agencies.

Munir's journey to become army chief: Bajwa's support

The important role in the visit of General Munir to become the army chief was played by former Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Bajwa recognized Munir as his close and played an important role in making him the army chief. In the year 2022 , he was appointed as Army chief of Pak in November.

Sources in relationship between Imran Khan and Munir

Munir's tenure was relatively small as ISI chief, as he worked as the head of ISI just eight months after the Pulwama attack in February 2019. At this time his relationship shaken with Imran Khan. At the behest of Imran Khan, Munir was transferred as he wanted the allegations of corruption against Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi to be investigated.

Munir's staunch religious ideology: is known as 'Mulla General'

Asim Munir was also known for his religious thinking. In Pakistan, he is called 'Mulla General' because he is famous for his bigotry and hates Hindus. Ramanathan Kumar, former Special Secretary of the Indian intelligence agency RAW, has revealed that General Munir remembers the Quran completely and his religious view is very strict.

Growing opposition against Munir in Pakistan

Since Munir became the army chief, opposition and discontent has increased inside Pakistan. locals were freely protesting in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan  against the Pakistan Army. It is being said in Balochistan that the army is torturing the people there at the behest of Munir. Apart from this, #MunirOut is trending on social media, which makes it clear that hatred for him is increasing in Pakistan itself.

Munir's image: fear and threats in Pakistan

After the Pahalgam attack, it was rumored that Munir was hiding in a bunker in Rawalpindi. At the same time, some reports also revealed that he has called a special meeting of his corps commanders to discuss Pakistan's defense preparations. Munir has threatened India that if India attacks Pakistan, the Pakistani army will also take strict action. But despite all this, the people of Pakistan have now stood up in protest against General Munir and this is an indication that the people of Pakistan are no longer supporting him.

Time of crisis for Munir

The situation is becoming more severe for Asim Munir. While protests against them are increasing on one side, on the other hand, tension is getting tension with India. Meanwhile, the Pahalgam attack has further clarified the relationship between Pakistan's military leadership and its terrorist organizations. This time is full of difficulties for Munir and his future is now under question in Pakistan.