In Pakistan, power doesn’t just wear a uniform—it parades in it. And when that uniform gets stitched with a Field Marshal’s insignia, you know it’s not just about rank. It’s legacy cosplay.
It all sounds so good, on paper, at least. All these suggestions and advice, but it all falls on deaf ears, you know? They won’t pay heed to any of it. Want to know why? Because just look at how he came into power, the road he walked, the people he shrewdly puppeteered to get where he is now, and where he's heading. Khan and the public don’t factor into that at all.
He’s going to escalate the tensions even further. He won’t give up, he’ll only stand down if he’s forced to. Right now, he’s soaring high, much like Icarus, feeling invincible, like a god, flying too close to the sun. And he’ll realize too late what he’s done.
SPOT ON!!!it sounds like Munir “mari jind mari jan”😋 has a lot on his plate, and simply staying in power isn't enough for him to be a good leader for Pakistan.
There’s a lesson the Pakistani military and political system refuses to learn yet desperately needs to. It’s the importance of clearly defined institutional boundaries and long-term strategic focus. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, and the West have all applied this in different ways with different ideologies but similar results: national stability and forward momentum.
From the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the message is simple, centralized but forward-looking leadership can transform a nation if it avoids micromanaging every institution. Both countries have invested in economic diversification, infrastructure, and global partnerships while maintaining strong central control. They’ve pursued national goals like Vision 2030 by empowering technocrats and keeping the military focused on defense, not governance.
From China, the lesson is pragmatic, long-term economic planning, strict separation between party leadership and military command, and a relentless focus on stability have helped lift hundreds of millions out of poverty. The military is powerful but it does not dictate economic or domestic policy. Strategic discipline is enforced from the top down.
From the West, especially stable democracies, the takeaway is even clearer, a strong state only emerges when civilian and military roles are sharply separated. Civilian governments are held accountable through elections, independent courts, and free media. The military stays under civilian control, maintains professionalism, and does not dictate policy.
Long-term national strategies survive changes in leadership because institutions not individuals guide the state.
Pakistan’s system is the opposite. The military regularly oversteps into civilian domains. Civilian leaders fail to build consensus or follow through on national reform. The result is a state that reacts to crises, rather than plans to prevent them.
In fact, civilians (ie crooked politicians) collude with military leadership because of their own incompetence and being largely unpopular which gives an inch to the military and they take an arm.
Pakistan military has withstood the test of time and it's institutions are robust enough to adapt and respond to threats so I am sure they will evolve to meet the demands next-gen warfare too. As far as FM Asim Munir is concerned, he has survived the baptism of fire. Imran Khan sacked him, sidelined him, tried to lead a coup or internal revolt against him....you name it and yet the man is still standing. May his star (or rather 5 ⭐ s) continue to shine more brightly than ever before.
Wajahat delivers a sharp, timely breakdown of the minefield Field Marshal Asim Munir must now walk through—one strewn with economic decay, political instability, and regional volatility. But one angle worth expanding is not just the external pressures on the military leadership—but the internal psychology of the man at the helm.
What’s left unsaid in the article is Field Marshal Asim’s own role in amplifying the current dysfunction. His pattern of consolidating power, obsession with image management, and centralizing authority within GHQ suggest a textbook case of narcissistic leadership—more concerned with personal legacy than institutional reform. Pakistan doesn’t just face external crises; it suffers from a crisis of ego at the very top.
In an environment that demands humility, consensus-building, and transparency, Asim’s approach has so far leaned toward control, opacity, and self-preservation. That’s not just a strategic liability—it’s a national one.
My take is that given India’s nefarious intentions if FM wants to lead the country he needs to shed crooked and incompetent fools from the government like dar and khawaja who harmed Pakistan’s image more than the Indians. PM is a puppet and he will do whatever he is told by FM.
One should like to know anyone’s ( holding Public office ) enjoying Public Support measurement tool & method. Surveys in 3rd world are managed or fake. If You do Yourself that may be somehow believable. Your opinion & comments are worthy of attention and need refinement through Your followers & critics . Hope You may think. Buck up .
It all sounds so good, on paper, at least. All these suggestions and advice, but it all falls on deaf ears, you know? They won’t pay heed to any of it. Want to know why? Because just look at how he came into power, the road he walked, the people he shrewdly puppeteered to get where he is now, and where he's heading. Khan and the public don’t factor into that at all.
He’s going to escalate the tensions even further. He won’t give up, he’ll only stand down if he’s forced to. Right now, he’s soaring high, much like Icarus, feeling invincible, like a god, flying too close to the sun. And he’ll realize too late what he’s done.
SPOT ON!!!it sounds like Munir “mari jind mari jan”😋 has a lot on his plate, and simply staying in power isn't enough for him to be a good leader for Pakistan.
There’s a lesson the Pakistani military and political system refuses to learn yet desperately needs to. It’s the importance of clearly defined institutional boundaries and long-term strategic focus. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, and the West have all applied this in different ways with different ideologies but similar results: national stability and forward momentum.
From the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the message is simple, centralized but forward-looking leadership can transform a nation if it avoids micromanaging every institution. Both countries have invested in economic diversification, infrastructure, and global partnerships while maintaining strong central control. They’ve pursued national goals like Vision 2030 by empowering technocrats and keeping the military focused on defense, not governance.
From China, the lesson is pragmatic, long-term economic planning, strict separation between party leadership and military command, and a relentless focus on stability have helped lift hundreds of millions out of poverty. The military is powerful but it does not dictate economic or domestic policy. Strategic discipline is enforced from the top down.
From the West, especially stable democracies, the takeaway is even clearer, a strong state only emerges when civilian and military roles are sharply separated. Civilian governments are held accountable through elections, independent courts, and free media. The military stays under civilian control, maintains professionalism, and does not dictate policy.
Long-term national strategies survive changes in leadership because institutions not individuals guide the state.
Pakistan’s system is the opposite. The military regularly oversteps into civilian domains. Civilian leaders fail to build consensus or follow through on national reform. The result is a state that reacts to crises, rather than plans to prevent them.
That mindset must change. Or nothing else will.
In fact, civilians (ie crooked politicians) collude with military leadership because of their own incompetence and being largely unpopular which gives an inch to the military and they take an arm.
Pakistan military has withstood the test of time and it's institutions are robust enough to adapt and respond to threats so I am sure they will evolve to meet the demands next-gen warfare too. As far as FM Asim Munir is concerned, he has survived the baptism of fire. Imran Khan sacked him, sidelined him, tried to lead a coup or internal revolt against him....you name it and yet the man is still standing. May his star (or rather 5 ⭐ s) continue to shine more brightly than ever before.
https://open.substack.com/pub/enamoured/p/field-marshal-of-farce-the-theatre?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=rmf8m
Wajahat delivers a sharp, timely breakdown of the minefield Field Marshal Asim Munir must now walk through—one strewn with economic decay, political instability, and regional volatility. But one angle worth expanding is not just the external pressures on the military leadership—but the internal psychology of the man at the helm.
What’s left unsaid in the article is Field Marshal Asim’s own role in amplifying the current dysfunction. His pattern of consolidating power, obsession with image management, and centralizing authority within GHQ suggest a textbook case of narcissistic leadership—more concerned with personal legacy than institutional reform. Pakistan doesn’t just face external crises; it suffers from a crisis of ego at the very top.
In an environment that demands humility, consensus-building, and transparency, Asim’s approach has so far leaned toward control, opacity, and self-preservation. That’s not just a strategic liability—it’s a national one.
My take is that given India’s nefarious intentions if FM wants to lead the country he needs to shed crooked and incompetent fools from the government like dar and khawaja who harmed Pakistan’s image more than the Indians. PM is a puppet and he will do whatever he is told by FM.
One should like to know anyone’s ( holding Public office ) enjoying Public Support measurement tool & method. Surveys in 3rd world are managed or fake. If You do Yourself that may be somehow believable. Your opinion & comments are worthy of attention and need refinement through Your followers & critics . Hope You may think. Buck up .
Sopot on! well written a world class piece
Wajahat, i hope Asim reads it, gets it and act on it. Keep shining!
Great Article! Unfortunately, Asim Munir will not be reading this. In his majesty's own words, he will "send it to the Prime Minister"
“It’s definitely worth reading, but the truth is — he’s not popular at all.”😏