A purportedly leaked letter, allegedly written by junior and mid-ranking officers within the Pakistani Army, calling for the resignation of Army Chief General Asim Munir, has – despite its incendiary nature – merely reflected the sentiments festering among the broader populace. Criticising the Army Chief for a spectrum of issues currently afflicting the nation, ranging from political repression to economic turmoil, the letter decried General Munir’s leadership as responsible for leading Pakistan towards a state akin to the 1971 fall of Dhaka. The military, which wields substantial influence over the country’s political, economic and foreign affairs, and has historically commanded widespread public support, has in recent years faced unparalleled scrutiny, culminating in a legitimacy crisis that threatens to destabilise Pakistan.

Hampered by a lack of competent leadership and strategic vision, Pakistan has experienced political instability since its inception, paving the way for General Ayub Khan’s successful military coup in 1958. To date, the country has witnessed nearly three decades of direct military rule (subsequently under General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf), entrenching the military’s dominant position in national politics. Even when a civilian administration is formally in power, the military continues to oversee key security and foreign policy matters, while simultaneously manipulating political affairs from behind the scenes. This persistent institutional interference and overreach by the military has been a fundamental barrier to the development of a robust democratic system in the country.

Positioning itself as the custodian of the........

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