In a dramatic reshuffling of Pakistan’s top security leadership, credible sources reveal that Army Chief General Asim Munir is systematically restructuring the military-intelligence hierarchy to eliminate rivals and consolidate his power. These developments come amid heightened regional tensions and growing concerns over Pakistan’s internal stability.

Strategic Appointments or Political Purge?

Major General Wajid Aziz, the current Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI), is reportedly lobbying to be appointed as the next Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI). His ambitions come at a time when Lieutenant General Asim Malik, the incumbent DG ISI, has been abruptly given the additional post and appointed as the country’s new National Security Advisor (NSA).

While the NSA appointment is publicly being portrayed as a promotion and consolidation of the military rule, sources within the security establishment view it as a strategic sidelining. General Malik was previously considered a strong contender for the powerful post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, expected to fall vacant in November 2025. By transitioning him to a civilian advisory role, Munir has effectively removed him from the line of succession, signaling a broader effort to eliminate competition for an anticipated extension in Munir’s own tenure.

This maneuver is being described by insiders as “killing two birds with one stone.” On one hand, Munir has appeased U.S. policymakers who reportedly favoured Asim Malik’s elevation to NSA to facilitate potential backchannel diplomacy with India, especially with Indian NSA Ajit Doval. On the other hand, the move has cleared the pathway for Munir’s own uncontested extension as Army Chief.

Close Allies Betrayed

This pattern of political deception appears to extend beyond Asim Malik. Former DG ISI Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum, once a close ally of Munir, has also been left out in the cold. Despite intense speculation, Anjum was neither appointed as Ambassador to Washington, Riyadh, or any other Gulf capital—nor was he considered for the NSA position. His exclusion signals a broader trend of betrayal and backstabbing among Pakistan’s top brass, as Munir positions himself as the unrivaled power center.

Sources within the military suggest that Munir’s increasingly autocratic behavior has rattled even his closest circles, and his obsession with securing a prolonged rule is now threatening institutional integrity.

India Gambit: Image-Building Through Escalation

Amid these internal machinations, Munir appears to be engineering a confrontation with India as a means of bolstering his public image and justifying his continued grip on power. The recent Pahalgam Terrorist Attack, which targeted Indian civilians in Kashmir, is being linked by some senior sources to a covert strategy to create a crisis, shift attention from Pakistan’s economic collapse, and elevate Munir’s stature as a wartime leader.

If verified, this would constitute a dangerous manipulation of national security for personal gain. Critics argue that the attack serves dual purposes: escalating tensions to enable tighter military control at home and crafting a narrative of indispensability around Munir.

Munir’s Next Target: PML-N?

With rivals within the military now politically neutralized, and Imran Khan in jail and his party marginalized, Munir’s next target may be the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The party’s growing discomfort with Munir’s autocratic leadership and refusal to publicly condemn India suggests an impending confrontation. Munir, insiders claim, has his own political ambitions and may seek to further weaken or co-opt mainstream political forces in pursuit of a hybrid autocracy.

Conclusion: A Nation at Risk

General Asim Munir’s actions are drawing increasing scrutiny at home and abroad. By concentrating power, suppressing dissent within the military, and allegedly orchestrating violent escalations abroad, Munir is not only destabilizing Pakistan’s fragile political order but also putting regional peace at risk.

Observers warn that unless checked, Munir’s consolidation of power could lead Pakistan into deeper authoritarianism, further economic decline, and potentially catastrophic military misadventures. Calls are growing louder for accountability, with some demanding his immediate removal and a judicial inquiry into his recent actions.

Pakistan’s democracy and national security, many argue, can no longer afford the ambitions of a single man.