Stories
Pakistan Becomes Munir's Fiefdom With Plans To Divide 4 States And Arbitrary Troop Deployments
- •According to a report by The Economist, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is planning to divide the four major provinces into 12 to 15 new states or up to 160 smaller administrative units.
- •The proposed division of provinces like Punjab and Sindh could weaken the political base and strength of parties like PML-N and PPP against the central authority.
- •Munir reportedly agreed to deploy additional military forces to Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels without consulting parliament or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- •Constitutional changes in November 2025 secured Munir's position until 2030, along with a lifelong Field Marshal rank and lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution.
Key Questions Answered
Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is reportedly in favor of dividing Pakistan's four major provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—into smaller administrative parts. Options under discussion include creating 12 to 15 new states or establishing up to 160 smaller administrative units to improve governance and public service delivery.
Reports indicate that Pakistan agreed to send additional military forces to Saudi Arabia amid intensifying attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, following the activation of a defense pact. However, Army Chief Asim Munir did so without consulting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or holding a vote in parliament, contrasting with a 2015 parliamentary decision to remain neutral.
Following constitutional changes in November 2025, Asim Munir assumed a role commanding the army, navy, and air force, with his tenure extended until 2030. He also retained the rank of Field Marshal for life alongside lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution, which critics argue diminishes democratic oversight.
