Pakistan’s government has picked a new army chief, putting an end to months of speculation about who would land what many consider to be the most influential position in the country.
Former spy chief General Asim Munir replaces retiring General Qamar Javed Bajwa on November 29.
The highest senior general in the army is considered a close ally.
The nomination comes at a perilous time for a nation in which the military has long had a disproportionate amount of influence over politics and foreign affairs.
Imran Khan, who was ousted by his opponents in April, has been at odds with the new government and the military over the selection of the army chief.
Pakistan is likewise experiencing an economic crisis, as exports decline and food prices skyrocket. It is also attempting to recover from this year’s disastrous floods.
When Lt. Gen. Munir assumes his position at the end of the month, he will be responsible for future relations with India, a nuclear-armed foe, and the new Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
“It is not a political position, but if you examine the post, it has played a political role,” argues Fahd Husain, the prime minister’s special adviser.
Since Pakistan was founded 75 years ago, the military has directly administered the country three times and for nearly four decades.
Ex-army lieutenant general Talat Masood states, “Our democracy is fragile.” The military has always attempted to take advantage of this.
The name of Lieutenant General Munir was chosen from a list of six prospective contenders. Typically, the prime minister makes the final determination over who will be the next army chief.
However, the process frequently devolves into a fight between the outgoing army chief and the prime minister, as each seeks a candidate amenable to their respective interests.
This time, it was much more disjointed. Current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif consulted with his older brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is rumored to be planning a political comeback.
Mr. Khan, their political opponent, stated publicly that the existing leadership is crooked and should not be permitted to make the choice.
Despite claims from the former prime minister and the military, it is widely known that Mr. Khan won the 2018 election with the assistance of Pakistan’s army and intelligence services.
Then, in April of this year, he was fired after apparently falling out with the military.
Since then, Mr. Khan has publicly criticized the army and its disproportionate role in the country’s politics, even accusing members of the military of involvement in an attack in which he was shot in the leg earlier this month.
These charges are rejected, but Mr. Khan has convinced his numerous admirers that the army has directly harmed him and his allies.
This Monday, Gen. Bajwa, who served as army chief for two consecutive three-year terms, acknowledged the military’s participation in politics over the past seventy years.
General Bajwa stated during a ceremony honoring those who had died in the line of duty that this would change.
“Therefore, after much deliberation, the army has chosen not to intervene in any political affairs,” he stated, adding, “I can tell you that we will firmly adhere to this policy in the future as well.”
Similar sentiments have been expressed by other departing army chiefs in Pakistan, to no result.
Under Gen. Bajwa’s command, the army got increasingly politically involved, according to Fahd Hussain.
“The governing and opposition parties are incompatible with cohabitation. There are no indications of political discourse. No effort is being made to find a political resolution.”
Given this, Mr. Hussain believes that the army will ultimately seize authority once more.
Mr. Masood is more optimistic, saying that now is the time for Pakistan to achieve a better balance between civilian and military authority.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the future chief to reform the entire nature of the military by staying out of politics and focusing solely on professional problems,” he explains.
However, that might be wishful thinking.
