Latest news with #GeneralAsimMunir
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan's Imran Khan invites ‘establishment' for talks, denies deal for his release
ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has denied reports a deal has been made for his release from prison, once again inviting the 'establishment' for talks in the interest of Pakistan as it faces external and internal security threats and treads a tricky path to economic recovery. In Pakistan, the establishment is a euphemism to describe the armed forces and intelligence agencies and associated pro-military entities. The military has ruled Pakistan for at least three decades since independence in 1947 and wields extraordinary influence even with a civilian government in office. The current army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, promoted this week to field marshal, only the second general in Pakistan to get the rank, is widely believed to have considerable sway over government affairs. The military says it does not interfere in politics. 'The rumors that are being spread about a deal with me, no deal has been made, nor are there any talks regarding a deal, are all lies,' Khan said in a message posted on his X account after he met his lawyers and family members on Wednesday. 'I myself am inviting the establishment that if they want to talk in the interest of Pakistan, if they are concerned about Pakistan, then come and talk,' he added, saying political forces in the country would have to come together at a time when Pakistan faced 'external threats, growing terrorism, and the restoration of the economy.' 'I was not asking for anything for myself before, nor will I ask for anything now,' Khan said, referring to reports he was trying to negotiate a deal to get out of prison. After being jailed in August 2023 and slapped with a slew of cases Khan says are politically motivated, a Pakistani court sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment in a land corruption case in January. Before that, he had either been acquitted or his sentences suspended in most other cases, except for one on charges of inciting supporters to rampage through military facilities to protest against his arrest on May 9, 2023. Khan denies giving the instructions for the protests. His supporters have led several violent protest rallies since the May 9 incidents, with the government and military publicly vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. The protests were widely seen as the most serious challenge to the military's hegemony in years. The army has since also faced sharp domestic criticism over accusations it was behind the jailing of Khan and cracking down on supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, as well as what critics alleged was rigging the general election last year to favor a rival party. The army rejects the accusations. But the military's popular support has surged after the worst military conflict in decades with arch-rival India earlier this month. On May 7, the Indian military carried out air strikes on what it called 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan, in response to a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan claimed to have downed at least 5-6 Indian fighter jets in response and carried out air strikes on Indian military bases. India has indicated that it suffered some losses and inflicted damage on key Pakistani air bases and air defense systems. A ceasefire was brokered by the US on May 10. – With inputs from Reuters
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Beloved strongman: Support for Pakistan army chief surges after India conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with arch-rival India, shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents. A grateful government on Tuesday gave him a rare promotion to Field Marshal 'in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy.' The military has ruled Pakistan for at least three decades since independence in 1947 and wielded extraordinary influence even with a civilian government in office. But it, and its hard-line chief, have rarely received the widespread outpouring of affection seen this month that analysts say has reinforced the military's dominance in the nuclear-armed nation. 'Long live General Asim Munir!' read placards held aloft in rallies in recent days in towns across Pakistan. His picture was put up on lamp posts and bridges, with some banners saying: 'You are our savior!' A survey conducted after the conflict by Gallup Pakistan, a local pollster, found that 93 percent of respondents felt their opinion of the military had improved. Munir's most bitter domestic foe, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, also congratulated the military after this month's clashes with India, claimed by both nations as a victory. 'It's my country, it's my army,' Khan said in a post on X last week. 'I pay tribute to the Pakistan Air Force and all our military personnel for their professionalism and outstanding performance.' Yousuf Nazar, a political commentator, said of Munir: . 'He has emerged as Pakistan's strongman with his military's reputation restored as a formidable force.' Six months after he took charge in November 2022, Munir was faced with the most serious challenge to the military's hegemony when Khan's supporters attacked and ransacked military installations. Munir later faced sharp domestic criticism for the jailing of Khan and cracking down on supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, as well as what critics alleged was rigging the general election last year to favor a rival party. But the conflict with India has turned that around, said Ayesha Siddiqa, author of Military Inc, a book on the Pakistan military. 'It has made the general stronger than any other previous generals. He is a hero now,' she said, adding that the contest between the neighbors will be headed by two hard-liners, India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Munir, a devout Muslim. 'It's an Islamist general versus a religious strongman,' she said. The military did not respond to questions sent by Reuters. FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE The spark for the latest fighting between the neighbors was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on 'terrorists' backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. On May 7, the Indian military carried out air strikes on what it called 'terrorist infrastructure' in Pakistan, in response to the attack in Kashmir. Pakistan claimed to have downed at least 5-6 Indian fighter jets and carried out air strikes on Indian military bases. India has indicated that it suffered some losses and inflicted major damage on key Pakistani air bases and air defiance systems. Munir, who has memorized the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an, has publicly underlined what he has said are fundamental differences between Islamic Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India. 'Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different,' he said in a speech in Islamabad a week before the attack in Indian Kashmir. The Indian army 'with all their wherewithal' cannot 'intimidate' Pakistan, he said, peppering his comments with verses from the Qur'an. 'Pakistan needs to be a hard state.' Pakistan's counterstrike against India was named by him as 'Bunyan Marsoos,' after a Qur'anic verse, which means Iron Wall, according to the military. It was launched on May 10 to coincide with dawn prayers, considered an auspicious time for Muslims. Munir, the son of a schoolteacher, is an infantry officer and a former head of both the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence. He remains army chief until November 2027 and could be appointed for another five-year term at that point. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said that even before the latest conflict, Munir was more hawkish on India than his predecessor General Qamar Javed bajwa as army chief, who had taken a more pragmatic and less ideological approach, seeking to improve relations. 'Conflicts with India remind Pakistanis of the fragility of their country and they rally to their army as the entity that will save the country,' said Haqqani. 'The recent show of strength and standing up to India has helped General Munir solidify his position within the country.'
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Rise of Pakistan's General Munir amid India conflict reshapes military politics: ‘a hero now'
Pakistan 's army chief General Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with arch-rival India , shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents. A grateful government gave him a rare promotion to Field Marshal 'in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy'. The military has ruled Pakistan for at least three decades since independence in 1947 and wielded extraordinary influence even with a civilian government in office. But it, and its hardline chief, have rarely received the widespread outpouring of affection seen this month that analysts say has reinforced the military's dominance in the nuclear-armed nation. 'Long live General Asim Munir!' read placards held aloft in rallies in recent days in towns across Pakistan. His picture was put up on lamp posts and bridges, with some banners saying: 'You are our saviour!' A survey conducted after the conflict by Gallup Pakistan, a local pollster, found that 93 per cent of respondents felt their opinion of the military had improved. Munir's most bitter domestic foe, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, also congratulated the military after this month's clashes with India, claimed by both nations as a victory.
Khaleej Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Beloved strongman: Support for Pakistan army chief surges
Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with India, shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents. A grateful government has given him a rare promotion to Field Marshal "in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy". "Long live General Asim Munir!" read placards held aloft in rallies in recent days in towns across Pakistan. His picture was put up on lamp posts and bridges, with some banners saying: "You are our saviour!" A survey conducted after the conflict by Gallup Pakistan, a local pollster, found that 93% of respondents felt their opinion of the military had improved. Munir's most bitter domestic foe, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, also congratulated the military after this month's clashes with India, claimed by both nations as a victory. "It's my country, it's my army," Khan said in a post on X last week. "I pay tribute to the Pakistan Air Force and all our military personnel for their professionalism and outstanding performance." Yousuf Nazar, a political commentator, said of Munir: ."He has emerged as Pakistan's strongman with his military's reputation restored as a formidable force." Six months after he took charge in November 2022, Munir was faced with the most serious challenge to the military's hegemony when Khan's supporters attacked and ransacked military installations. Munir later faced sharp domestic criticism for the jailing of Khan and cracking down on supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, as well as what critics alleged was rigging the general election last year to favour a rival party. But the conflict with India has turned that around, said Ayesha Siddiqa, author of Military Inc, a book on the Pakistan military. "It has made the general stronger than any other previous generals. He is a hero now," she said, adding that the contest between the neighbours will be headed by two hardliners, India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Munir, a devout Muslim. "It's an Islamist general versus a religious strongman," she said. The military did not respond to questions sent by Reuters. FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE The spark for the latest fighting between the neighbours was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. On May 7, the Indian military carried out air strikes on what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan, in response to the attack in Kashmir. Pakistan claimed to have downed at least 5-6 Indian fighter jets and carried out air strikes on Indian military bases. India has indicated that it suffered some losses and inflicted major damage on key Pakistani air bases and air defence systems. Munir, who has memorised the Holy Quran, has publicly underlined what he has said are fundamental differences between Islamic Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India. "Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different," he said in a speech in Islamabad a week before the attack in Indian Kashmir. The Indian army "with all their wherewithal" cannot "intimidate" Pakistan, he said, peppering his comments with verses from the holy book. "Pakistan needs to be a hard state." Pakistan's counter-strike against India was named by him as "Bunyan Marsoos", after a Quranic verse, which means Iron Wall, according to the military. It was launched on May 10 to coincide with dawn prayers, considered an auspicious time for Muslims. Munir, the son of a schoolteacher, is an infantry officer and a former head of both the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence. He remains army chief until November 2027 and could be appointed for another five-year term at that point. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said that even before the latest conflict, Munir was more hawkish on India than his predecessor as army chief, who had taken a more pragmatic and less ideological approach, seeking to improve relations. "Conflicts with India remind Pakistanis of the fragility of their country and they rally to their army as the entity that will save the country," said Haqqani. "The recent show of strength and standing up to India has helped General Munir solidify his position within the country."
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Beloved strongman: Support for Pakistan army chief surges after India conflict
ISLAMABAD, May 21 (Reuters) - Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with arch-rival India, shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents. A grateful government has given him a rare promotion to Field Marshal "in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy". The military has ruled Pakistan for at least three decades since independence in 1947 and wielded extraordinary influence even with a civilian government in office. But it, and its hardline chief, have rarely received the widespread outpouring of affection seen this month that analysts say has reinforced the military's dominance in the nuclear-armed nation. "Long live General Asim Munir!" read placards held aloft in rallies in recent days in towns across Pakistan. His picture was put up on lamp posts and bridges, with some banners saying: "You are our saviour!" A survey conducted after the conflict by Gallup Pakistan, a local pollster, found that 93% of respondents felt their opinion of the military had improved. Munir's most bitter domestic foe, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, also congratulated the military after this month's clashes with India, claimed by both nations as a victory. "It's my country, it's my army," Khan said in a post on X last week. "I pay tribute to the Pakistan Air Force and all our military personnel for their professionalism and outstanding performance." Yousuf Nazar, a political commentator, said of Munir: . "He has emerged as Pakistan's strongman with his military's reputation restored as a formidable force." Six months after he took charge in November 2022, Munir was faced with the most serious challenge to the military's hegemony when Khan's supporters attacked and ransacked military installations. Munir later faced sharp domestic criticism for the jailing of Khan and cracking down on supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, as well as what critics alleged was rigging the general election last year to favour a rival party. But the conflict with India has turned that around, said Ayesha Siddiqa, author of Military Inc, a book on the Pakistan military. "It has made the general stronger than any other previous generals. He is a hero now," she said, adding that the contest between the neighbours will be headed by two hardliners, India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Munir, a devout Muslim. "It's an Islamist general versus a religious strongman," she said. The military did not respond to questions sent by Reuters. The spark for the latest fighting between the neighbours was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. On May 7, the Indian military carried out air strikes on what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan, in response to the attack in Kashmir. Pakistan claimed to have downed at least 5-6 Indian fighter jets and carried out air strikes on Indian military bases. India has indicated that it suffered some losses and inflicted major damage on key Pakistani air bases and air defence systems. Munir, who has memorised the Muslim holy book, the Koran, has publicly underlined what he has said are fundamental differences between Islamic Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India. "Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different," he said in a speech in Islamabad a week before the attack in Indian Kashmir. The Indian army "with all their wherewithal" cannot "intimidate" Pakistan, he said, peppering his comments with verses from the Koran. "Pakistan needs to be a hard state." Pakistan's counter-strike against India was named by him as "Bunyan Marsoos", after a Koranic verse, which means Iron Wall, according to the military. It was launched on May 10 to coincide with dawn prayers, considered an auspicious time for Muslims. Munir, the son of a schoolteacher, is an infantry officer and a former head of both the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence. He remains army chief until November 2027 and could be appointed for another five-year term at that point. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said that even before the latest conflict, Munir was more hawkish on India than his predecessor as army chief, who had taken a more pragmatic and less ideological approach, seeking to improve relations. "Conflicts with India remind Pakistanis of the fragility of their country and they rally to their army as the entity that will save the country," said Haqqani. "The recent show of strength and standing up to India has helped General Munir solidify his position within the country."
