A self-styled champion of the Muslim Ummah, a foreign policy operator, and a salesman

Notwithstanding the Pakistan Army’s sever drubbing in Operation Sindoor, General Asim Munir in 2025 not only elevated himself to the rank of Field Marshal but subsequently assumed the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) through a carefully stage-managed approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment by Pakistan’s Parliament. This constitutional change vested him with overarching control over all Services of the Pakistan Armed Forces and granted immunity from legal proceedings. Given that Pakistan’s civilian establishment has long remained under the shadow of the military, this development has effectively placed Munir beyond accountability to any constitutional authority. In achieving this concentration of power, Munir has achieved what many of his predecessors aspired to but failed to secure. 

To consolidate his authority domestically and expand his influence across the Islamic world, Munir has projected himself as a champion of the Muslim Ummah, repeatedly invoking divine sanction and portraying himself as a leader with special religious legitimacy. He claimed that “during the May confrontation, we not only saw Allah’s help coming, but truly felt it,” and further asserted, “My God is my witness, we witnessed the help of Allah in the Bunyan al-Marsoos operation.” Such statements are designed to project himself as a divinely guided figure. 

Munir employs religious and jihadist discourse in public speeches, invoking concepts such as Riyassat-e-Tayyaba (a modern Islamic welfare state inspired by the early Islamic polity of Madina) and repeatedly referring to jihad. Under his leadership, Pakistan’s defence establishment has revived seventh-century terminology such as Fitna-al-Khwarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan to delegitimise freedom fighters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, portraying them as heretical rebels rather than political actors.

 On the 16th April 2025, Munir, unfolding his sinister plan against India, described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” and stressed the importance of the two-nation theory. He emphasised that Hindus and Muslims were different and suggested that a violent demographic change was needed in Kashmir to integrate it with Pakistan. This statement triggered attacks in Pahalgam by the Pak-sponsored terrorist outfits (Pakistan’s unofficial army). It was confirmed by Pakistan Army’s ex Major Adil Raja. 

The Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif described Munir as someone deeply committed to “jihad.” While Munir is described as the “Jihadi General” by analysts, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon officer, remarked that he is a terrorist, likening him to Osama bin Laden. Munir also protected himself against fatwas by religious leaders by emphasising that the state’s exclusive authority over such declarations.   

Munir is visualising a greater role for himself on the global Islamic stage, especially given perceived support from key international players. He is projecting the Pakistani Army as a force fighting not for the country but for Islam. His statement that “Among 57 Islamic nations, Allah Almighty has granted Pakistan the distinct honour of being the custodian of the Haramain Sharifain,” (two noble sanctuaries of Muslims) underscored his framing of Pakistan’s spiritual and strategic stature in the Muslim world. 

Munir is also stitching a NATO-type alliance with other Muslim countries for their defence. In September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, committing both nations to collective security, i.e., an attack on one would be treated as aggression against both. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA declared that the agreement “aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.” 

Munir’s Libya visit focused on enhancing bilateral defence and military-to-military cooperation. A large-scale arms and security agreement – covering JF-17 fighter aircraft, trainer jets, joint manufacturing, and training cooperation – was signed, framed explicitly as a strategic partnership rather than a commercial transaction.

In Jordan, Munir engaged the country’s leadership on expanding defence cooperation. Both sides concluded their talks with a shared resolve to further deepen military-to-military ties between the two “brotherly” countries. 

Munir visited at least seven countries in 2025, including three to the US, indicating his shift from an Army Chief to a strategic diplomat of Pakistan. During his visits, he not only attended ceremonial functions but also operationalised defence and security agreements.

Munir also acted as a salesman. Besides selling JF-17, he proposed Gaza plan with hints to place the Pak Army on hire. His plan aims at reinforcing his Ummah-first framing (civilisational conflict), which can be used later in Kashmir. To attract the US, reports suggest that a port development proposal was suggested. Projecting Pakistan’s mineral resources to attract foreign countries, he stated, “Pakistan is ready to emerge as a leader in the global mineral economy.”     

Three aspects of his foreign policy are important. First, he is using anti-India rhetoric to consolidate his position and frequently uses flattery to please some powerful heads to gain their support. Second, in Islamic countries, he framed Pakistan as a security partner of Muslim countries. He employed the Islamic solidarity language in Muslim countries but avoided it in the US and China, reflecting his craftiness. Third, he also acted as the political head, asking foreign countries to enhance trade with Pakistan and investments there. In Washington, Munir stated that Pakistan was not seeking security assistance or aid from the United States but rather wanted trade and investment, though the real intent was to seek financial help. Munir thanked profusely in wheedling manner Saudi Arabia, China, and the UAE for their support to the IMF bailout programme to cajole them to continue their policy of assisting Pakistan. 

For India, Munir’s consolidation of powers internally and his enhanced influence in the Islamic world have serious security implications. He controls nuclear weapons and reportedly conducted a test covertly to enhance Pakistan’s deterrence against India. There is no mechanism to restrain him. Given his mindset, he is likely to focus on grabbing Kashmir using terrorism. New launch pads reveal his sinister plans. OIC may now require more efforts to manage. He blames India for his internal problems. For India, it is imperative to enhance security in sensitive areas and focus on Islamic countries so that they may not get swayed by Munir’s propaganda and ensure that our deterrence remains effective.         

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