Pakistan’s Military Consolidation Raises Alarms Over Democratic Backsliding and Regional Stability

Pakistan’s recent elevation of Field Marshal Asim Munir to the unprecedented role of Chief of Defense Forces marks a concerning consolidation of military power with direct implications for the fragile balance in South Asia—and America's strategic interests. Approved by both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, Munir now commands not only the army but also oversees coordination among the army, navy, and air force in this newly created post. The appointment grants him sweeping powers, including lifetime immunity from arrest—a dangerous precedent that critics say undermines civilian control and democratic accountability in a country long plagued by...