Asim Munir assumes command when the army becomes embroiled in a political standoff between the ruling party and former prime minister Imran Khan.
General Asim Munir assumes command of the Pakistani Army
General Asim Munir became leadership of Pakistan’s army on Tuesday, marking a significant shift of command in a structure that has a significant influence over the country’s government despite possessing nuclear weapons.
Munir, who was appointed as the next commander last week, assumes command as the nation struggles with an economic crisis and the army is embroiled in a political standoff between the ruling party and Imran Khan, the former prime minister.
At a handover ceremony held at the army’s General Headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, outgoing head General Qamar Javed Bajwa declared, “I am confident that his (Munir’s) appointment would be positive for the army and the country.”
Khan and his followers have recently expressed their displeasure with Bajwa, who held the position of commander for six years. They contend that the army was involved in Khan’s removal as prime minister in April following a no-confidence vote. The army rejected playing any part.
According to Asad Umar, a top adviser to Khan, “General Asim Munir’s first aim is to rebuild the bond of respect and affection between the nation and the military leadership.”
Khan has declared that he will continue his effort to pressure the government into calling for early elections. In addition, he has threatened to dissolve provincial legislatures controlled by his party, raising the possibility of a constitutional crisis.
Munir also has to worry about a potential uptick in militant activity in the nation after the Pakistani Taliban declared a day earlier that they would break their months-long ceasefire with the government.
