Issue Brief 02 | May 2025

Know your Enemy

General (now Field Marshal) Syed Aseem Munir

Maj Gen PK Mallick, VSM (Retd)

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

-- Sun tzu

Gen SA Munir's position in the hierarchy of Pakistan was not very comfortable. The state of economy, insurgency in Pakhtoonistan and Balochistan, attack on the Jaffar Express, constant protests by supporters of Imran Khan's supporters inside and outside of parliament, the Cholistan Canal project to provide water supplies to large areas of Punjab's Cholistan Desert linked to the allocation of land to the Army threatening Sindh's water security, rumblings within Army hierarchy etc were difficult to handle for an Army Chief who rules the country.

Munir faced criticism over the crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of Imran Khan, the country's former prime minister and most popular leader. The Army had imprisoned Khan on politically motivated corruption charges in May 2023, prosecuted his supporters in military courts after they attacked military installations, and blatantly put its thumb on the scale in the February 2024 parliamentary elections that cemented the power of PTI's major rivals. Pakistan came close to a debt default in 2023, at a time when crippling inflation reached 38 per cent. The Army forcefully crushed a PTI march on Islamabad in November 2024. Still, the party's supporters inside and outside the country have waged a relentless campaign on social media against Munir, which the military has described as "digital terrorism."

Munir was unsettled by growing dissent in junior ranks, coupled with recent statements by Gen Karamat and other senior veterans, calling for a review of ongoing mismanaged operations in KPK and Baluchistan.

Everything changed after Op Sindoor. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Patriotic fervours were at the highest, the whole country was united under the Pak Army Chief, and Pakistan celebrated as it was a great victory. Pakistan never won a war with India, but they always believed so. Such is the narrative in Pakistan. The Army Chief became very popular. Public support for Munir surged, with a Gallup Pakistan survey indicating a 93% boost in public opinion toward the military. General Syed Aseem Munir wasted no time in promoting himself as Field Marshal.

A day after Trump announced the India-Pakistan ceasefire, cities across Pakistan witnessed crowds riding cars/motorbikes, honking horns, playing patriotic songs, and waving national flag and posters praising the military, particularly Asim Munir. Using information warfare, the military convinced the population that Pakistan had won the war

Munir has emerged from the confrontation with India stronger. As a reward for his leadership in "defeating the enemy," the country's nominal civilian government has elevated Munir to the highest military rank of field marshal, making him only the second officer to hold that title after Mohammed Ayub Khan, the general who led the country for a decade after a military coup in 1958.

If one of the objectives of Op Sindoor was to weaken the Pak Army, it was not achieved. Except for some skirmishes in LC, both armies were not involved, Both the armies moved no offensive formations. The forces responsible for keeping IB and LC's sanctity would have been at the highest state of alert. 6.5 lakh strong Park Army was left out of the battle.

General (now Field Marshal) Syed Aseem Munir is an enemy who needs detailed study. Here is his CV.

• Date of Birth. 1968 (exact date not publicly disclosed).
• Place of Birth. Rawalpindi, Pakistan
• Caste/Sect. Syed
• Family Background. Born into a modest Punjabi Syed family that migrated from Jalandhar after the 1947 partition.
• Father. Syed Sarwar Munir Shah was the Principal of FG Technical High School, Lalkurti, Rawalpindi and an Imam who delivered Friday sermons at a mosque in Dheri Hassanabad, Rawalpindi. Munir memorised the Quran in his youth, earning the title of Hafiz-e-Quran.
• Mother. Name not publicly known.
• Spouse. Syeda Irum Asim
• Children. Three
• Siblings. Two brothers, Syed Qasim Munir and Syed Hashim Munir; one is a government school teacher.
• Son-in-law. Major Uzair Ali Shah was reportedly posted at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

Education

• Early education at Markazi Madrasa Dar-ul-Tajweed, Rawalpindi, where he received religious training, giving him a strong foundation in Islamic studies and earning him recognition as a Hafiz-e-Quran after memorising the Quran during a posting in Saudi Arabia
• Graduated from the Officers Training School (OTS), Mangla, in 1986, earning the prestigious Sword of Honour for being the top-performing cadet.
• M Phil from CGSC (?).
• Holds an MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from the National Defence University, Islamabad.
• Attended military courses at the Fuji School (Japan), Command and Staff College (Quetta), and Malaysian Armed Forces College.

Military Career

Commissioned. Munir is from the 17th course of the Officers Training School (OTS) in Mangla. He was awarded the Sword of Honour for being the top cadet of his batch. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment. He started his military career on 25 April 1986. (1986-1988).

Service Number. PA-5751( PA-16010?)

His posting profile is peppered with India-focused appointments. Munir rapidly progressed in his career through a series of important roles, including postings in challenging environments such as the Siachen Glacier and the Northern Area.

BM. Not known.

Instructor CGSC, Quetta.

As a Lieutenant Colonel

• Munir served in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the close defence cooperation between Riyadh and Islamabad as a military attaché.
• Served in the Siachen Glacier.
• He commanded this same regiment, which he joined after being commissioned.

Brigadier

• As a brigadier, he served as the chief of staff of Pakistan's I Strike Corps in Mangla.
• Commanded an infantry brigade in the Northern Areas.

Major General

• Was promoted to the rank of Major General in 2014 and served as the commander of the troops deployed in the Northern Areas of Pakistan as Commander, Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA).
• Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Quetta. (Not confirmed)
• In 2016, he was appointed DG Military Intelligence, overseeing the Army's internal and external intelligence operations.

Lt Gen

• Promoted to Lieutenant General in September 2018.
• Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from October 2018 to June 2019 as the 28th Director-General of ISI, Pakistan's principal intelligence agency, from October 2018 to June 2019, playing a key role during the 2019 India-Pakistan crisis
• In June 2019, Munir was replaced by Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed as the new DG ISI. First DG ISI to be removed before completing tenure (2019).

Munir was appointed the DG-ISI on 25 October 2018, under the tenure of Imran Khan. He oversaw the 2019 skirmish with India and holding an important role. Pakistan's retaliation against India was triggered by the Munir-led committee which strongly advised Pakistan's civil-military leadership to respond to the Indian threat.

Munir's tenure as DG-ISI is the shortest in the country's history. It is alleged Munir was removed by Qamar Javed Bajwa under pressure from Imran Khan when Munir claimed to have exposed the corruption of Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi.

However, Khan called this allegation "completely false", further explaining in a post on X that "this is completely false. Neither did Gen Asim show me any proof of my wife's corruption, nor did I make him resign because of that."

• Appointed as Corps Commander of XXX Corps in Gujranwala in 2019. (June 2019 – October 2021).
• From 2021 to November 2022, Lt-General Munir was posted at GHQ as the Quartermaster General of Pakistan Army.
• Only officer to serve as chief of both premier intelligence agencies (ISI and MI) before becoming COAS

General

• On November 29, 2022, Lieutenant General Munir was promoted to the four-star general rank and appointed as the 11th Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan Army.
• Appointed COAS on November 29, 2022, days before his scheduled retirement.
• Tenure extended from three to five years in November 2024, set to retire in November 2027.
• At the time of his appointment as COAS, Munir was the senior most Lieutenant General of the Pakistani Army.
• Munir is the second recipient of Sword of Honour who has risen to the position of army chief in the military history of Pakistan, after Asif Nawaz Janjua.
• He is only the third Shia to head the Pakistani Army, a predominantly Sunni army. (Not Confirmed).

Munir was scheduled to retire on 27 November 2022. Before being appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), he submitted his retirement application, which the Ministry of Defence rejected. He was informed that the government had decided to retain him in service. Following consultations between Shehbaz Sharif and his brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Munir was appointed the new COAS on 24 November 2022, just three days before his planned retirement. The recommendation for Munir's appointment as COAS was forwarded by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, to the then President Arif Alvi on 24 November 2022. Alvi approved it on the same day, officially extending Munir's service for three years. Munir assumed the role of COAS on 29 November 2022, two days after his initially scheduled retirement. Munir's selection as COAS was from a pool of six eligible candidates.

In November 2024, Asim Munir's tenure as Army Chief was extended from three to five years after Pakistan's ruling coalition swiftly passed a bill with little debate. The controversial move sparked protests from PTI lawmakers, who accused the government of bypassing democratic processes and suppressing opposition voices. Despite the backlash, the extension secured Munir's position until November 2027.

Key Decisions as COAS

• Crackdown on anti-state elements (Baloch militants, TTP).
• Strengthened military ties with China, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
• Played a role in stabilising Pakistan's economy during crises.
• Handling of political crisis.

In May 2023, Imran Khan was arrested. When he was released on bail, Munir found himself under direct criticism from Khan, with Khan accusing him of "dismantling the future of this country [Pakistan] to protect himself." Following the arrest of Khan, reports emerged indicating a division within the Pakistan Army.

Khan's arrest resulted in the May 9 riots, where military installations were attacked, looted, and ransacked. Munir visited the places where rioting had occurred and vowed that such an event would never reoccur. Munir's reaction led to the attempt to try civilians under military courts, which received criticism from international observers as military courts are not seen as impartial and fair.

Handling of Economic Crisis

• Munir has been adamant about solving the economic crisis in Pakistan by setting up the Special Investment Facilitation Council, intending to bring in billions of dollars of investment abroad, especially Pakistan's Gulf allies.
• The economic crisis led to the Pakistani rupee devaluing to its weakest point in history, at 308 per dollar.
• To strengthen the rupee, he initiated crackdowns on the black market, which had been selling dollars illegally, which was harming the rupee. These crackdowns were successful, and the Pakistani rupee rebounded to become the world's best-performing currency in September 2023.

Visit to the United States

• Munir visited the United States in December 2023, being hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Charles Q. Brown, and U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser, Jonathan Finer.
• Munir reemphasised ties with the United States, which were under strain during former prime minister Imran Khan's premiership.
• The U.S. reaffirmed Pakistan as an "ally" and expressed support for its commitments to regional security and defence cooperation

Field Marshal

• Promoted to Field Marshal on May 20, 2025.
• Second Pakistani officer ever promoted to Field Marshal (after Ayub Khan), and the first to hold the COAS office as a five-star General.

Personal Traits & Public Perception

• Known for his professionalism, integrity, and no-nonsense approach with a low-profile lifestyle.
• Avoids media attention, focuses on military professionalism.
• Strong stance against corruption & political interference in the military.
• Maintains close ties with Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia.
• Hard-liner on India, with views shaped by his intelligence background and religious convictions.
• Known for a low public profile before the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis, after which he became more vocal, shaping Pakistan's nationalist narrative.

Personal Traits and Interests

• Height. 5'10" (177 cm)
• Eye Color. Dark Brown
• Hair. Salt and Pepper
• Hobbies. Reading and Travelling
• Physical Fitness. Known as a fitness enthusiast, sportsman and a good runner.
• Known for religious devotion. Memorised the Quran during a posting in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Known for piety (strong religious values) and frugal lifestyle.
• Cultural Resonance. His background, rooted in a devout family with Partition-era memories, aligns with Pakistan's Punjabi-dominated military ethos, enhancing his legitimacy among rank-and-file soldiers.

Officer's Training School (OTS) Entry

Before his commission, Munir was trained in the Officer's Training School (OTS), which is considered by some to be less prestigious than the famed and more elite Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul. His rise to the highest post in the Pakistan Army set him apart as an officer who rose through merit and performance rather than pedigree.

There is a perceived bias between the various entries of army officers in their respective academies. It happens everywhere.

Despite his fame and military prowess, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was not universally admired by the German generals of aristocratic Prussian origin. He was not from the traditional Prussian aristocracy that dominated the German officer corps, especially in the higher ranks. Many Prussian officers viewed him as an outsider and resented his rapid rise. He did not attend the Kriegsakademie (War Academy) or serve in the General Staff, a key path to higher command in the German Army. This made him seem like an upstart to the traditional elite.

Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander, SEAC, said Field Marshal William J. Slim was 'The finest general World War Two produced.' His accomplishments are truly staggering.

But the Brits always overhyped Field Marshal Montgomery. Field Marshal Slim succeeded Monty as CIGS and Governor General of Australia, doing much better than his predecessor.

Bill Slim was born to a middle-class family and educated at fee-based schools. Between 1910 and 1914 he taught in a primary school and worked as a foreman in a testing gang at an engineering works.

In 1912, he was allowed to join the Officers Training Corps, which was affiliated with the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Due to his completing this course, he would ultimately be commissioned as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th (Service) Battalion of the same regiment, a "K-1 New Army" formation,

In 1945 Slim told a reporter that he "began at the bottom of the ladder" as a private in the 5th.

Slim was not from Sandhurst. At the end of the First World War, Slim was transferred to the 6th Gurkha Rifles of the Indian Army. Montgomery, while at Sandhurst, was turned down for the Indian Army. He told Prime Minister Atlee that Slim was a 'sepoy general' who was neither known nor would be accepted by the British Army.

Munir had to prove himself time and again because of his entry. Munir's rise was rooted in merit and performance rather than pedigree. Unlike the traditional dominance of the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) alumni, Munir's OTS background fostered a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among fellow OTS officers.

Unlike most top generals who hail from the prestigious Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Munir, as Army Chief, has deliberately promoted and placed other OTS Mangla alumni in the most critical posts.. Notably, he appointed Lt Gen Syed Aamer Raza as Chief of General Staff and Lt Gen Shahid Imtiaz as Commander of the Rawalpindi-based 10 Corps—both are OTS Mangla alumni and close course mates of Munir.

These two posts are among the most strategically important in the Army, especially in scenarios involving civil-military power struggles in Islamabad. This has created a loyal inner circle and reduced internal dissent or coup risk.

By placing trusted OTS Mangla colleagues in these pivotal roles, Munir has effectively consolidated his control over the military hierarchy, strengthening his grip on the military and ensuring unity at the top echelons during periods of internal or political challenge, sidelining the traditionally dominant PMA group for the first time in Pakistan's history

The elevation of fellow graduates has challenged the long-standing PMA dominance, signalling that merit and loyalty can trump traditional institutional hierarchies to the broader officer corps. This increased Munir's stature and allowed him to maintain a tight grip on his military and political alliances.

This shift has redefined power dynamics within the Army and set a precedent for future leadership trajectories.

However, the Indian Army does not have any such problem. Of the 90 odd Lt Gens, barring a couple of them from AMC or RVC, all Lt Gens are ex-NDAs. The only exception may be one Strike Corps Commander. There is no competition from OTA or other entries from IMA.

Allegations of Nepotism

• Ahmad Noorani, a Pakistani journalist, claimed Munir's extended family has been given key positions in both the military and civil sectors since his appointment as Chief of Army Staff:
• His maternal uncle, Syed Babar Ali Shah has been instrumental in influencing high-level appointments in Islamabad, such as that of Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir as Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency.
• Munir's first cousin, Hajra Sohail, rose from a scholarship manager to the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, despite lacking prior executive experience.
• Mohsin Naqvi, a close relative of Munir's wife was appointed to prominent roles such as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Interior Minister.
• Munir's son-in-law, Major Uzair Ali Shah, is posted at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. While such a posting is typically reserved for top officers in the Pakistan Army, Shah's appointment was based on favouritism, as he allegedly did not rank at the top of the selection process.

These allegations, though unverified, have fuelled perceptions of favouritism. However, the allegations, even if true, are not of major concerns.

Critiques

Religious Zeal and Polarisation: Indian and Western analysts label Munir a "jihadi general" or "Mullah General" for his overt religiosity, arguing it fuels a confrontational stance with India and risks radicalising military rhetoric. His framing of the India-Pakistan conflict as a religious divide may complicate de-escalation efforts.

Alienation of Moderates. His emphasis on religious nationalism, influenced by General Zia-ul-Haq's legacy, may alienate secular or moderate factions within Pakistan, potentially deepening internal divisions.

Allegations of Overreach. Critics, including analysts and opposition figures, accuse Munir of undermining democratic institutions. His role in putting Imran Khan in jail, rigging the 2024 elections and expanding military trials for civilians has drawn criticism for eroding democratic norms by the legal community and civil society alike.

Limited Diplomatic Engagement: Unlike predecessors with Western ties, Munir's lack of training in U.S. or British military institutions and his focus on religious nationalism may limit his ability to navigate complex international diplomacy, potentially isolating Pakistan in global forums.

"Pakistan first" policy taking a stance against many of Pakistan's adversaries.

• After the 2024 Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes, Munir reiterated that Pakistan would respond to such altercations, stating that "You [Iran] cannot backstab us, and if you do, you will get a befitting reply."
• Gen. Munir is unpopular with the Pashtuns, both in Afghanistan and those in Pakistan, as he had supported the mass deportation of 1.7 million illegal Afghan refugees from Pakistan back to Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan should be prioritised over Afghanistan, even stating that "when it comes to the safety and security of every single Pakistani, the whole of Afghanistan can be damned."
• The inhuman and brutal handling of Balooch people by Gen. Munir and his military has caused further fissures between the Baloch people and the Pakistani state.

Two-nation theory. On April 17, 2025, Munir publicly endorsed the two-nation theory, saying:" Our forefathers thought we are different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religions are different, and our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different. That was the foundation of the two-nation theory that was laid there. We are two nations, we are not one nation."

On April 26, 2025, Munir reiterated his views on the two-nation theory while speaking at a passing out parade ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy, saying, "the two-nation theory was based on the fundamental belief that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations, not one."

Overall Impression

General Syed Asim Munir's tenure as COAS is marked by a blend of assertive military leadership, political consolidation, and ideological fervour. His strategic focus on security and counter-terrorism and his ability to maintain military dominance without direct martial law reflect a calculated approach to power. The promotion to Field Marshal and tenure extension signal strong institutional and governmental backing, positioning him as one of Pakistan's most influential army chiefs. However, his hardline stance on India, reliance on religious nationalism, and allegations of political overreach and nepotism pose significant risks. The 2025 Pahalgam attack and subsequent escalation highlight both his ability to rally Pakistan's military and the dangers of his confrontational rhetoric, which may have contributed to regional instability.

His performance is polarising.

• His supporters view him as a resolute defender of Pakistan's sovereignty and ideological identity.
• His critics, including Indian analysts and domestic opposition, see him as a reckless figure whose actions exacerbate tensions and undermine democracy.

Navigating Pakistan's economic crisis, political divisions, and regional rivalries will continue to test his leadership, with his legacy likely hinging on whether he can balance nationalist fervour with pragmatic diplomacy.

General Syed Asim Munir is a hardcore India hater. All his field postings from Subaltern to three-star have been opposite India.

In recent years, the Pakistan Army adroitly cultivated the strategy of allowing a semblance of democracy as a façade. At the same time, the absolute power levers remain with the GHQ in Rawalpindi. Gen Syed Asim Munir has perfected the art of concentrating power in his hands and allowing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to run the virtually toothless elected government in Islamabad. It is common knowledge in GHQ Rawalpindi's corridors of power Gen Munir is a great admirer of Gen Zia-ul Haq's "K-2" strategy (Kashmir, Khalistan) to destabilise India.

Many in India interpreted Munir's antagonistic posturing as evidence of his personal "religious bigotry." However, his remarks and subsequent actions also reflect the imperatives of the military as an institution. Although the General has conservative views, Pakistani officers are socialised into an organisational culture that fixates on India as an implacably hostile neighbour. The continued waging of Pakistan's Sub-Conventional War against India is ample proof that institutional indoctrination and interests matter more than the personal characteristics of the Army's top commander.

Gen Qamar Bajwa, Munir's immediate predecessor, was perceived as more conciliatory toward India. Even he presided over a major provocation, the February 2019 attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed on Pulwama attack.

Field Marshal Munir will be in the helm of affairs for quite some time. He is a competent, cunning adversary. He needs to be studied carefully. Merely ridiculing him in the media will not do any good.

Maj Gen P K Mallick, VSM (Retd)

Maj Gen P K Mallick, VSM was commissioned in the Corps of Signals of Indian Army. His educational qualification includes: Electronics and Tele Communication Engineering graduate from B E College, Shibpur, M Tech from IIT, Kharagpur, MSc (Defence Studies) and M. Phil from Madras University, Master of Management from Osmania University. He is a member of number of professional bodies like, Fellow of Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), associate member of MP IDSA, USI, CLAWS etc.

Maj Gen P K Mallick, VSM has varied experience in command, staff and instructional appointments. The officer has taken part in counter insurgency operations in Punjab, Assam and J&K. He has headed the joint services cyber organization DIARA, now Defence Cyber Agency. He is an expert in information warfare, cyber warfare, psychological warfare, electronic warfare, space warfare and artificial intelligence.

He had been instructor at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow and National Defence College, New Delhi.

The officer is a prolific writer, has published large number papers in peer reviewed journals. He has delivered talks and participated in panel discussions at USI, CLAWS, CAPS, NMF, CENJOWS, HQ ANC, Army War College, Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow, Intelligence School, Pune, Computer Society of India (Bangalore) and Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers. Lucknow.

The officer has published four books: The History of the Corps of Signals Vol IV, China in Cyber Domain, Information Cyber and Space Domain and Its application in Future Land Warfare and Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO) A 360 Degree View. He has been consultant with NTRO and Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) and held the appointment of Chief of Army Staff Chair of Excellence at Centre of Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).

The officer run to popular two website on strategic issues: https://www.strategicstudyindia.com/ and http://indianstrategicknowledgeonline.com/

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