The General Who Outgrew The Constitution: How Asim Munir Became Pakistan’s De Facto Ruler

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 18:25 IST

The legal framework for Munir's consolidation was cemented in November 2025 through the 27th Constitutional Amendment

In the complex theatre of Pakistani politics, the distinction between civil and military authority has often been more of a polite fiction than a functional reality. However, as of February 2026, this boundary has effectively vanished. The consolidation of power under Field Marshal Asim Munir has reached a zenith that even his predecessor dictators, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf, might have envied. This transformation has been laid bare by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, in a remarkably candid interview with France 24. When pressed on whether Munir had become the de facto ruler of the country, Asif did not offer a robust civilian denial; instead, he described the arrangement as a “hybrid government", characterising the Army as the nation’s “most important institution" currently sustaining the political administration.

The Constitutional Coup

The legal framework for this consolidation was cemented in November 2025 through the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Unlike the overt coups of the past, this “soft coup" was conducted within the halls of Parliament. The amendment fundamentally restructured the military hierarchy by creating the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a role tailored specifically for Munir. This position grants him formal constitutional authority over not just the Army but also the Navy and the Air Force, effectively dissolving the traditional balance of power between the service branches. Crucially, the amendment also shifted control of the National Strategic Command—and by extension, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal—directly into the hands of the CDF.

From General to Field Marshal

Munir’s elevation to the five-star rank of Field Marshal in May 2025 marked a symbolic and legal turning point. Promoted following the military skirmishes of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, he became only the second individual in Pakistan’s history to hold the rank, alongside Ayub Khan. However, unlike Ayub, Munir remains the active head of the Army while holding this lifelong title. The 2025 reforms ensure that as a five-star officer, he is granted lifelong immunity from criminal proceedings and can only be removed through an arduous, impeachment-like process. This “legal armour" ensures that even if a future civilian government attempts to assert control, the Field Marshal remains virtually untouchable.

The Economic Overlord

Beyond the barracks, Munir has institutionalised the military’s role in the economy through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). Operating as a “single-window" platform for foreign investment, the SIFC is co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the Army Chief. In practice, the military provides the “facilitation support" that drives decision-making in sectors ranging from mining and agriculture to information technology. By positioning the Army as the guarantor of economic stability, Munir has ensured that the civilian government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, is entirely dependent on the establishment for its financial survival.

A Hybrid Hegemony

The current state of affairs represents the evolution of the “hybrid model" into a permanent fixture. With the judiciary also facing restructuring under the new amendments—including the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court that curtails the Supreme Court’s powers—the traditional checks and balances have been neutralised. As Khawaja Asif’s “hybrid" admission suggests, the civilian leadership has traded its sovereign authority for the security of staying in office. In this 2026 landscape, while the Prime Minister may occupy the office, the direction of the state is dictated from the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi by a Field Marshal who is now, in every legal and practical sense, the de facto ruler of Pakistan.

News explainers The General Who Outgrew The Constitution: How Asim Munir Became Pakistan’s De Facto Ruler

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