Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:08pm on 27 Sep 2025,Saturday International
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a viral interview with Mehdi Hasan on Zeteo, exposed the country’s deep civil-military imbalance. When asked if he could dismiss Army Chief General Asim Munir, Asif evaded a direct answer, citing “consensus” and “practical necessity.” Intelligence sources interpreted this as a calculated move prioritizing political survival over constitutional civilian supremacy. Analysts argue that admitting such authority could provoke military backlash, while affirming it might destabilize the fragile Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition. The interview has sparked intense debate, reinforcing perceptions that Pakistan’s democracy operates under military constraints. Asif’s stance highlights the enduring shadow of the armed forces over elected leadership.
