By Asif Shahhz Read
Islamabad (Reuters), the Pakistan’s Assimi Munir army general, is the most powerful person in the country, but his popular support has increased since the worst conflict for decades with Archiev rival India, breaking criticism of politics intervention, and raw is destroyed by their opponents.
A thankful government gave him a rare promotion to Field Marshal “in recognition of the strategic splendor and bold guidance that provided national security and decisively defeated the enemy.”
The military ruled Pakistan for at least three decades after independence in 1947 and have exclusively influenced with a civil government of service. But he and his hard chief rarely receive the widespread pouring of attachment this month, which analysts claim has strengthened the dominance of the military in the nuclear armed nation.
“Living General Asim Munir!” Read posters held at the rallies in the last days in the cities in Pakistan. His photo was placed on lamps and bridges, with some banners saying, “You are our Savior!”
A survey conducted after the Gallup Pakistan conflict, a local survey, found that 93% of the respondents believe their opinion on the military had improved.
Munir’s most astounding internal enemy, closed former Prime Minister Imran Han, also congratulated the military after the clashes of this month with India, claimed by both countries as a victory.
“This is my country, this is my army,” Han said in a post last week. “I pay tribute to the Pakistani Air Force and all our military officials for their professionalism and exceptional results.”
Yusuf Nazar, a political commentator, told Munir: “He has become Pakistan’s strong man with the reputation of his military, restored as a great force.”
Six months after he took responsibility in November 2022, Munir was faced with the most serious challenge to the hegemony of the military when Han’s supporters attacked and destroyed military installations.
Later, Munir was confronted with a sharp internal criticism for Khan’s prison and collapsed on the supporters of his party Pakistan Techrek-E-Inchaf, as well as what critics claim that they supported the general elections last year to support a competitive party.
But the conflict with India turned around, said Ayesha Sidika, author of Alily Inc, a book about the Pakistani military.
“This was made by the general than all the other previous generals. He is now a hero,” she said, adding that the competition between the neighbors will be run by two hardliners, the India Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan Munir, a devastated Muslim.
“This is an Islamist general against a religious strong man,” she said.
The military did not answer questions sent by Reuters.
Fundamental difference
The spark for the worst fighting between the neighbors was an attack on April 22 in the Indian cashmere, with 26 people killed, most of them tourists. New Delhi accused the incident of the “terrorists”, backed by Pakistan, an accusation denied by Islamabad.
On May 7, Indian military strucks at what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan, in response to the Kashmir attack.
Pakistan claims to have downloaded at least 5-6 Indian fighters and made air strikes on Indian military bases. India said it suffered some losses and caused major damage to key Pakistani air bases and air defense systems.
Munir, who remembers the Muslim Holy Book, The Qur’an, publicly emphasized what he said are major differences between Islamic Pakistan and mostly Hindu India.
“Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different,” he said in a speech in Islamabad a week before the attack in the Indian cashmere.
The Indian army “with all their things that” cannot “intimidate” Pakistan, he said, throwing his comments with verses from the Qur’an. “Pakistan should be a firm condition.”
The opposite blow of Pakistan against India is called him as “Bunyan Marsoos” after the Coranic verse, which means Iron Wall, according to the military. It started on May 10 to coincide with the prayers of the dawn, considered a favorable time for Muslims.
Munir, the son of a teacher, is an infantry officer and a former leader of both powerful interview intelligence and military intelligence. He remained head of the army until November 2027 and at that moment he could be appointed for another five -year term.
Husain Hakani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said that even before the last conflict, Munir was more prominent in India than his predecessor as chief of the army, who accepted a more pragmatic and less ideological approach, seeking to improve relations.
“Conflicts with India are reminiscent of Pakistani of the fragility of their country, and they gather in their army as an entity that will save the country,” Hacani said.
“The recent display of force and facing India helped General Munir to reinforce his position in the country.”
(Reporting with a Shah Zhit Administration