Pak army chief’s promotion: Is this Shehbaz Sharif-Asim Munir deal to finish Imran Khan politically?

Has Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cut a deal with Army Chief Asim Munir?

Munir’s promotion to field marshal provoked disbelief and mirth in many quarters given the damage India inflicted on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

Which is leading many to suspect that some accommodation was reached between Munir and Sharif behind the scenes to keep jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan away from power.

But what do we know?

Let’s take a closer look:

What happened?

Pakistan has promoted Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to rank of field marshal.

As per The Tribune, field marshal is the Pakistan Army’s highest honourary rank.

The five-star position is even above that of a general.

It is bestowed on those who display “extraordinary military leadership and strategic excellence.”

A ceremonial but symbolically powerful position modelled on British military tradition, the field-marshal rank carries considerable political and institutional weight in Pakistan, where the military remains the most powerful institution.

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While the post itself carries no operational authority in Pakistan, it lets the holder keep wearing the uniform even after retirement.

It also has privileges such as displaying five stars on his official vehicle and the use of a special baton during salutes.

The decision was taken during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Sharif.

“The Government of Pakistan has approved the promotion of General Syed Asim Munir (Nishan-i-Imtiaz Military) to the rank of field marshal for ensuring the security of the country and defeating the enemy based on the high strategy and courageous leadership during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” the official statement read, as per the newspaper.

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Sharif praised Munir’s “exceptional military leadership, bravery, and strategic command.”

The development comes just days after India and Pakistan declared a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor – which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

In a statement issued through the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Munir expressed his gratitude to the government and the nation. He dedicated the promotion to “the entire nation, the armed forces of Pakistan, and especially the civil and military martyrs and veterans.”

“This honour is the trust of the nation, for which millions of Asims have sacrificed themselves,” he added.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said, “Under General Syed Asim Munir’s leadership, the armed forces have successfully defended the homeland.”

What do we know?

News18 quoted defence sources as saying that Sharif and Munir made a pact.

The agreement was for Sharif to promote Munir to field marshal – an extremely rare honour – in exchange for Munir keeping former prime minister Imran Khan away from power.

Sharif has also promised to shield Munir from a court martial if Pakistan’s failed response to Operation Sindoor comes under scrutiny in the future.

Imran and Munir, remember, have a history.

Imran, during his stint as prime minister, sacked Munir as ISI chief after relations between the two men soured.

Imran has since blamed Munir for his arrest and even accused the army chief of trying to do away with him.

Munir is now just the second Pakistan Army chief to be appointed Field Marshal – after General Mohammad Ayub Khan.

Munir is also known to idolise General Zia-ul-Haq – another man who became dictator by overthrowing the Pakistani government and hanging Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Sources said that the development shows the increasing dominance of the Pakistani military over the civilian government under Sharif.

Indian intelligence added that the development confirms their belief that Munir is the one in charge of the government and not Sharif.

They pointed to the fact that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out to Munir on May 10 to ask Pakistan to halt hostilities with India.

Sources also said Munir is increasingly trying to get the Pakistani public on his side after the failed operation against India – which they are trying to frame as a victory.

Unlike Ayub, who promoted himself to the rank of field marshal in 1959 following his coup in Pakistan the previous year, Munir was appointed to the position by the civilian government.

However, some in Indian defence circles think Munir may have promoted himself to assert his supremacy in Pakistan and send a sign that he is not prepared to hang up his uniform anytime soon, as per News18.

This development comes after some people close to Imran had criticised Munir for the conflict with India.

Those close to Imran had blamed the military’s “high-handedness” and “personal ambitions” for the conflict.

Munir, as one might recall, had called Kashmir Pakistan’s ‘jugular vein’ during a speech in April.

“Our stance is very clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, and we will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle," Munir said in the speech attended by Sharif.

Munir’s also made a provocative speech prior to the Pahalgam terror attack – which has come under scrutiny by Indian authorities – in which he reemphasised Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s two nation theory.

What do experts say?

That Munir and the Pakistan Army hold all the cards.

“Saddled with a sinking economy that survives on foreign bailouts, runaway inflation, home-grown insurgency and popular outrage over the jailing of Imran, Gen Munir possibly sought to deflect attention with his provocative anti-India statements. Pahalgam happened soon after, suggesting the two were linked. Imran’s fallout with the army had eroded the latter’s clout. Under Gen Munir, the militablishment is back in control of the nation,” a piece in New Indian Express noted.

“Gen Munir is heading what is being called a hybrid government. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has little say in policy matters. People know that the most powerful man sits in Rawalpindi, not Islamabad,” it concluded.

A piece in Deccan Herald stated that Munir clearly has the upper hand in any conflict with Khan, nothing that ‘everyone knows who is calling the shots’ in Pakistan.

It noted that while protests can overthrow the government in Pakistan, this only occurs with the aid of the army.

“The last Pakistani politician who succeeded in touching a popular chord and came close to Khan’s levels of popularity was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It did not end well for him,” the piece added.

With inputs from agencies