Field Marshal Asim Munir’s power move stirs coup rumours in Pakistan. Army reshuffles, secrecy, and rising tensions point to a dangerous political flashpoint.
Islamabad, July 7, 2025 – Pakistan is teetering on the edge of a full-blown military takeover, according to a flurry of alarming developments and verified insider reports. Speculation reached fever pitch this week following the promotion of General Asim Munir to the rarely granted rank of Field Marshal, sparking widespread fears that Pakistan’s democratic façade may be nearing collapse.
With whispers of Munir’s potential detainment and reports of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza possibly assuming control, political observers are raising the red flag: Is a military coup underway in Pakistan?
Field Marshal Munir: Lifetime Immunity, Supreme Power
The May 2025 move to elevate General Munir to Field Marshal—a lifetime position—drew immediate parallels with Field Marshal Ayub Khan, Pakistan’s first military dictator. Not only does this grant Munir unchecked operational authority, it also removes him from traditional command accountability, effectively insulating him from political or legal scrutiny.
Critics warn this could institutionalise military dictatorship under a civilian disguise, reinforcing the label of Pakistan as a “hybrid regime”—a term openly admitted by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who stated the army “always plays a role behind the curtain.”
Power Struggles Within the Army?
What has shocked the political corridors further are unconfirmed but persistent reports that Munir may have been detained or sidelined, with General Sahir Mirza allegedly poised to take over leadership. These rumours, while not officially confirmed, have gripped social media and opposition channels, particularly after the media blackout and ISPR’s silence over the last 48 hours.
Pakistani and international media are cautiously watching military movements across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with sources inside GHQ reportedly witnessing late-night meetings and troop shifts.
A Nation Gripped by Uncertainty
Adding to the volatile mix is Munir’s increasingly aggressive stance on India post-Operation Sindoor. His fiery speeches, calls for militant defence, and symbolic gestures have won applause from nationalist corners—but drawn concern from international observers who fear military adventurism at the cost of civil order.
The broader picture reflects a strategic consolidation of power, not just over foreign policy, but internal governance, judicial matters, and media narratives. Pakistan’s civilian government—a PTI, PML-N, PPP alliance—is seen largely as ceremonial, with most key decisions already bypassing the Prime Minister’s Office.
What This Means for Pakistan’s Democracy
If current trends hold, Pakistan’s fragile democratic fabric may face its most severe test since the Zia-ul-Haq era. The opposition is silent, the courts are hesitant, and the media—already under heavy surveillance—avoids reporting on the power shifts.
This is not merely political jockeying. It is, as analysts describe, the possible beginning of a long-term military entrenchment that could render Parliament irrelevant and shift all levers of governance into GHQ’s hands.
Global Implications: From Washington to New Delhi
A military-controlled Pakistan could upend South Asia’s geopolitical balance. Already battling economic collapse, IMF dependency, and diplomatic cold shoulders, Pakistan under Field Marshal Munir’s unilateral rule may drift further from global democracies, deepen its China dependency, and escalate tensions with India.
Washington is monitoring the situation but remains officially silent. India, meanwhile, has increased border surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC), anticipating possible distractions or escalations amid Pakistan’s internal chaos.
Conclusion: Countdown to a Coup?
The signs are unmistakable—Pakistan is inching toward full military dominance, if not an outright coup. Whether it’s a silent power consolidation under Munir or an abrupt reshuffle that replaces him, one reality is clear: democracy in Pakistan has never been more fragile.
Unless civilian forces reassert authority, or external pressure compels a course correction, 2025 may go down as the year Pakistan finally succumbed to its military shadows—not with tanks rolling into Islamabad, but with a whisper and a handshake in Rawalpindi.
