Pakistan’s civil-military balance has undergone a significant transformation, with Field Marshal Asim Munir emerging as the central figure in the country’s expanded military command structure. Constitutional changes enacted in November 2025 created the post of Chief of Defence Forces, combining it with the army chief’s position and giving the holder operational command across the armed forces.
The change goes beyond a routine military reorganisation. The 27th Constitutional Amendment also introduced major protections and powers for five-star military officers. Analysts at Chatham House described the changes as a formalisation of Pakistan’s existing “hybrid” civil-military governance model and highlighted the concentration of authority in the army chief.
The consequences extend into national policymaking. Carnegie Endowment analysts argue that, under Munir, the military has further consolidated its influence through its relationship with the civilian government, alongside greater involvement in areas including media regulation, internet governance and political management.
Foreign policy has also increasingly reflected the military leadership’s prominence. Munir has appeared prominently alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on major diplomatic engagements, while his role in Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia and other regional powers has expanded. His involvement has also extended into sensitive regional diplomacy involving Iran and the United States.
This concentration of authority raises a fundamental question about civilian oversight. In a constitutional democracy, elected institutions are expected to exercise meaningful control over national policy, while the armed forces operate within clearly defined civilian authority.
Pakistan’s current structure places that principle under renewed scrutiny. The 27th Amendment shifted the formal military command hierarchy, while critics have argued that the broader changes weaken institutional checks on military power. The Pakistani government, however, has presented the reforms as necessary to modernise defence command and improve coordination among the services.
The political implications are equally significant. With the military playing a prominent role in security, foreign affairs and domestic political management, the distinction between civilian administration and military influence becomes increasingly important.
The question facing Pakistan is therefore not simply who commands its armed forces. It is how much influence the military should exercise over the institutions and decisions that shape civilian life.
Asim Munir’s rise has made that question impossible to ignore. The durability of Pakistan’s political system will depend on how effectively civilian institutions maintain constitutional oversight while allowing the military to fulfil its core defence responsibilities.
The real test of Pakistan’s civil-military equation is whether military strength can coexist with meaningful civilian authority, institutional accountability and democratic oversight.
