Is Shehbaz Sharif coming up in the way of Asim Munir’s elevation to military chief?

Is Shehbaz Sharif holding up Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s elevation as the military chief? Questions have arisen since an official military gazette notification signed by the Pakistan prime minister has yet to see the light of day.

Munir, Pakistan army chief, was set to assume the post of Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) on November 29. However, a delay in the release of the notification has sparked speculations and chatter.

We take a closer look.

Asim Munir to be CDF

Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir is set to become the Chief of Defence Forces, a position that would empower him to control the army, navy and air force.

This comes after Pakistan’s Parliament approved the contentious 27th Amendment to the Constitution, which created the position that has put Munir in charge of Pakistan’s military.

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The role of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) was abolished and Munir was to become the CDF.

Once he becomes the military chief, experts say Munir will become the “most powerful man in Pakistan”.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment also provides unchecked legal power to Munir, on par with the President. The CDF, as well as the air force and navy chiefs, cannot be prosecuted.

If Munir, as CDF, gets the power to influence promotions, it would establish the supremacy of the army over the other two services in Pakistan.

Speculations galore as Munir yet to become CDF

While Munir was to become the CDF last week, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif is yet to notify his two-year extension and take over as the military chief.

As per ThePrint report, Munir’s original tenure as Pakistan army chief was to end on November 29. His tenure as army chief would then be officially extended and he would take over as the CDF.

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This would extend the Pakistan army chief’s tenure at least until 2030.

The delay in the release of an official notification has, however, fuelled rumours.

“It is hereby notified that no notification will be notified until the notification is notified…,” Pakistani journalist Cyril Almeida wrote sarcastically on X.

“Syed field marshal 9-star platinum.. khalid ibn waleed 2.0.. general of the generals.. prince of the banu hashim.. iso90002 certified hafiz (عَلَیہِ السلام)… waiting for an official notification from a 2-bit politician who couldn’t even win his seats… islam is in danger..,” another X user said in jest.

A third X user shared a picture of Munir with US officials, with the caption calling him “General Retired Asim Munir” before adding, “ Where have you gone missing….. I miss you. A notification will surely come through. Show up somewhere. I am sad.”

ALSO READ: Is Asim Munir the de facto ruler of Pakistan after 27th Amendment passes?

What’s the real reason behind the delay?

Jokes aside, Sharif may have a reason to delay notifying Munir as CDF. As per a Dawn report, the notification is delayed as the government works out the “finer details of the appointment”.

Sharif was in the United Kingdom on a personal trip. Concerns over his personal health delayed his return to Pakistan, reported ThePrint. On Monday night, he reportedly landed in Lahore, instead of the capital, Islamabad.

Author and National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) member Tilak Devasher claimed that Sharif was “intentionally” staying out of Pakistan.

Speaking to ANI, Devasher said, “Very smartly, Pakistan PM had gone to Bahrain and from there, he pushed off to London. He is deliberately staying out of this because he clearly doesn’t want to issue the notification giving Asim Munir five years as Army Chief and as Chief of Defence Forces.”

He said the Pakistan government’s failure to make the appointment has led to both a constitutional and operational vacuum. “If the fact remains that he (Asim Munir) is no longer the Army Chief, then you have a situation where Pakistan doesn’t have an Army Chief, and even the nuclear command authority… is also not there. So it’s an extremely strange situation that Pakistan is under at the moment,” the NSAB member said.

Under the 27th Amendment, there is a proposal to create a Commander of the National Strategic Command, a position supervising Pakistan’s nuclear forces. This commander will be appointed from the army by the Prime Minister on the advice of the army chief.

Devasher also claimed there is a possible tussle within Pakistani military. “There are reports that other Generals are now jostling for position — either to become Army Chief or for the two new four-star posts that have been created.”

As per ThePrint sources, the delay in the appointment is due to confusion regarding the tenure of the CDF, which will be decided by the prime minister. There are also ongoing discussions with politicians insisting on appointing a vice chief of army staff.

With inputs from agencies