Aug 24, 2026 13:53 pm IST

Inside Pak's New Law That Has One Man Written All Over It: Asim Munir

With a new act, Munir has truly reached the apex. At least most politicians in Pakistan will hope so.

Tara Kartha Tara Kartha Columnist

Tara Kartha Columnist

One has to hand it to the Pakistan Field Marshal, Asim Munir. He never stops his climb to power. A pause here and a pause there, but that's it. Consider the latest legislation, the Defence Forces of Pakistan Act 2026, passed within hours of the members of the Upper House receiving a copy. The unseemly haste may have its reasons, which is what should worry us. Or it could be a result of the absolute contempt for the House, in which case, it should worry the Pakistanis.

The 'Defence Forces of Pakistan Act'

With this Act, Munir has truly reached the apex. At least most politicians in Pakistan will hope so, though no one will rule out a grab for the Presidency down the road.

Consider his phenomenal progress. Munir had come to notice, at least in Delhi, when he was a Major-General and headed the FCNA (Force Commander Northern Areas) between 2014 and 2016. That was a period when terrorism in India climbed significantly, rising from some 200-odd infiltration attempts to more than 371 by the end of his tenure. It's with such credentials that he came to a leadership position eventually, making it to being the head of Pakistan's military intelligence first, and then the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief. That's rare in itself. But it stopped there.

Imran Khan disliked the pious, straight General, and he was........

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