From Army Chief To President? Asim Munir’s Growing Power Sparks Musharraf Comparisons

Islamabad: The relationship between the army and politics in Pakistan is once again in the centre of discussion. A question is being raised regarding Field Marshal Asim Munir whether there is going to be any major change in the power system of the country. However, no official announcement has come out regarding the implementation of the presidential system or Munir becoming the president. In May 2026, Pakistan's law minister Azam Nazir Tarar had said regarding the 28th constitutional amendment that at present there is no such indication.

Will the power structure change again in Pakistan?

Speculations about the structure of power in Pakistan are intense at a time when the constitutional role of the army is already quite strong. Under the 27th Constitutional Amendment passed in November 2025, the army chief was also given the post of chief of defence forces. Along with this, there was a major change in the structure of the top military leadership of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

How much has Asim Munir's power increased?

After the 27th amendment, Asim Munir became the Chief of Defence Forces along with the Army Chief. His new tenure was fixed for five years. According to the President's Office, President Asif Ali Zardari had approved his appointment in December 2025 on the advice of the prime minister. This made Munir's military role and influence much wider than before.

Can the 28th Amendment open the way for a presidential system?

There is currently no concrete answer to this question. Regarding the 28th Constitutional Amendment, the law minister had said in May 2026 that he did not see any indication for it and any possible change would need to be discussed with the coalition partners. Therefore, the issue of a presidential system or making the army chief directly the president in place of the prime minister has not yet progressed beyond political speculation.

Does Munir already have huge constitutional powers in his hands?

There was a lot of political debate in Pakistan regarding the 27th Amendment. The amendment gave the Army Chief the responsibility of Chief of Defence Forces and abolished the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Apart from this, provision for lifetime status and special constitutional protection were also made for the post of Field Marshal. Critics described these changes as increasing the military's influence, while the government linked them to the need to modernise military command.

Is it possible for Munir to become president?

Legally and politically, this will be possible only if major changes are made in the constitutional system of Pakistan and Munir leaves the current military post and enters the process of becoming president. In the current situation, no such official decision has come out. Therefore, it is too early to say that Munir is going to become the president of Pakistan in place of Shehbaz Sharif.

What will this mean for Pakistan?

The political influence of the military establishment is not new in Pakistan. The army has been in direct power many times in the country's history and on many occasions its influence on elected governments has been strong. The 27th Amendment has given a new place to military command in the constitutional framework, due to which the debate on civil-military relations has intensified.

Are there signs of the return of president's rule in Pakistan?

At present there is not sufficient official basis to reach such a conclusion. There has been no confirmed government announcement regarding the presidential system or making Munir president. It is true that past constitutional changes have affected the balance of power in Pakistan. In such a situation, if any formal proposal regarding the 28th Amendment comes forward in the coming days, it can have a big impact on the country's politics and the role of the army.