In a political development stirring regional anxiety, reports from Pakistan suggest the contours of a silent coup may already be taking shape. At the centre of this storm stands Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Army Chief, whose recent high-profile engagements, growing diplomatic clout, and increasing visibility have fueled intense speculation that a power shift is underway in Islamabad.
The whispers of a coup began to intensify after a meeting last week between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Munir, amid international media reports hinting at plans to replace President Asif Ali Zardari with the military chief. While Prime Minister Sharif has categorically denied any such intention, a series of recent events point to a reshaping of Pakistan’s power architecture, one that signals the deepening grip of the military, led by Munir, over the country’s civilian institutions.
Munir, already occupying the apex military post and having recently been elevated to Field Marshal, only the second in Pakistan’s history after Ayub Khan, appears to be treading a familiar path. Ayub Khan seized power in a military coup in 1958 by deposing President Iskander Mirza and later installed himself as President. Munir, who has held every key military position in Pakistan, from Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to Military Intelligence, and Corps Commander, now leads the country’s powerful military establishment with both symbolic and strategic authority.
The comparisons with Ayub Khan have intensified, especially after Munir’s recent international diplomacy. Earlier this year, he accompanied Prime Minister Sharif on a string of high-level visits to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. However, in recent months, Munir’s diplomatic engagements have been carried out solo, with official visits to Sri Lanka and Indonesia, without the Prime Minister by his side. His growing international presence, particularly in strategic Asian regions, signals a recalibration of Pakistan’s diplomatic conduct, with the military chief at the forefront.
The most dramatic turn, however, came last month, when Munir was hosted for an exclusive lunch by US President Donald Trump at the White House, a rare diplomatic gesture typically reserved for heads of state. The two-hour meeting, held in the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office, underscored Munir’s growing importance on the global stage. Notably, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has yet to be granted a similar reception, further emphasizing the shift in Washington’s focus, from Pakistan’s civilian government to its military command.
The Pakistan Army itself issued an unusually direct statement on Munir’s US trip on July 10, bypassing the country’s Foreign Ministry, a clear indication of where authority now lies. The military’s public communication on foreign policy matters is traditionally rare and only reserved for moments of strategic recalibration.
Meanwhile, inside Pakistan, tensions remain high. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, has explicitly accused Munir of attempting to silence him, stating that if anything were to happen to him in custody, Munir must be held responsible. These claims, coming from a former head of government, reflect the climate of fear and consolidation of power that currently envelops Pakistan’s political sphere.
Despite Sharif’s public assurance that Munir harbours no presidential ambitions, the mere denial has done little to extinguish the growing belief that Pakistan is witnessing a ‘soft coup’, where the military dominates governance, foreign relations, and national discourse, without formally dismantling democratic structures.
As Munir embarks on solo diplomatic missions and assumes more symbolic power, the role of Pakistan’s civilian leadership appears increasingly diminished. The shift is neither loud nor abrupt, but rather methodical, echoing the strategic precision typical of Pakistan’s military doctrine.
The implications extend beyond Pakistan’s borders. India, which has long faced the brunt of Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror, is closely monitoring these developments. Munir is viewed in New Delhi as the architect of the Pahalgam terror attack and the principal ideologue behind Pakistan’s aggressive posture on Kashmir. He has repeatedly invoked the two-nation theory and described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” drawing sharp criticism from Indian security establishments.
With Munir now wielding unparalleled control, the civilian leadership in Pakistan appears increasingly ornamental. The democratic facade may endure, but real power, both in perception and practice, has shifted decisively to the military. Whether or not a formal coup materialises, the prevailing reality on the ground is that the Pakistan Army under Field Marshal Asim Munir is calling the shots, in Islamabad, and beyond.
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