How Pakistan Army is crumbling from within – Firstpost

Pakistan stands at a crossroads, with its most powerful institution that calls the shots for the nation — the military — facing the threat of an internal rebellion. A leak of a supposed letter issued under the name 
‘The Guardians of Honour’ has exposed an unprecedented rift within the ranks of the Pakistan Army.

The explosive contents of the letter penned by the junior and mid-level officers to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir express their frustrations at his incapable leadership, accusing him of operational incompetence, corruption, political oppression, and economic mismanagement. This brewing rebellion by the rank and file, unlike previous military coups orchestrated by top generals, is a more serious threat that could further destabilise the nation.

Historically, Pakistan’s strategic culture is deeply rooted in its revisionist culture and predominance of the military and mullah, and in dealing with both internal politics and foreign policy frameworks. The radicalisation of the Pakistan Army and its role as the custodian of this ideology and defender of Islam are ingrained in the historic culture of the nation.

This has led to civil-military rivalry leading to numerous coups by the military top leadership and running the nation. Gen Munir’s rivalry and standoff with former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the court-martial of Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, former head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), sparked the crisis.

Gen Munir has also crossed swords with the US over disagreements on economic governance, foreign policy, and attempts at civilian assertion over military appointments. The US has not only snubbed Pakistan’s request for military and economic aid to address TTP-related violence but also tabled a bill titled the “Pakistan Democracy Act”, which sought to impose sanctions on Pakistan’s Army chief. Gen Munir is under a storm both internally and externally. The preferred refuge in the US, like Gen Musharraf post-coup, seems remote too.

Nepotism, Corruption and Professional Incompetence

Pakistan under Gen Munir has witnessed unprecedented interference of the military over the civilian institution and governance, transforming it into a de facto military-run Islamic state. His active interference in matters of the state has witnessed rampant nepotism, corruption, and institutional overreach.

From manipulation to blatant misuse of power for appointing his relatives to influential key positions, such as Mohsin Naqvi — from being Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to becoming Interior Minister — and diplomatic passports for his daughters illegally, bypassing official protocols. Gen Munir has rubbished Pakistan’s legal framework for personal and institutional gains. This has led to the pseudo-democratic structure of Pakistan being eroded, with GHQ under Gen Munir playing ‘big boss’ over the civil leadership. The country already struggling to survive is becoming a monarchical military power structure, paving the path of turbulence and a failed state.

Dissent, Defiance and Doomsday

The frustrations of the rank and file against Gen Munir in the letter demand his resignation under threat. It highlights his leadership failure, where he has lost both the confidence and trust of the military and the nation. They have quoted specific examples in this regard.

Political Suppression: The military violence where thousands were detained, tortured, or “disappeared” to suppress political dissent after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2023. This was more driven by personal animosity with former PM Imran Khan, who had openly opposed Gen Munir’s appointment as Army Chief.

Election Rigging on February 8, 2024: Pakistan’s 2024 general elections were marred by allegations of vote rigging and delayed results, with the popular Imran Khan barred from participation and the military’s perceived meddling in politics backing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Jaffar Express Hijacking: A military humiliation in March 2025, when the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) seized a train and escaped unchallenged. BLA is repeatedly getting the better of Pakistan’s military and discrediting its professional standing.

Economic Collapse: The economy is in ruins, with inflation and corruption demoralising even the army’s personnel. On the economic front, the country has been dealing with backbreaking inflation, a depreciating currency, and precariously low foreign reserves.

The TTP Boomerang: Once the breeding ground of terrorism and the Haqqani terror network, Pakistan is having a taste of its own medicine. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has worked to destabilise Pakistan by directly attacking the Pakistani army and assassinating politicians. The Pakistan military has been unable to tackle this threat.

The Tarnished Reputation of the Pakistan Army: No longer seen as the “guardian of the nation”, the army is now viewed as an oppressor, with civilians losing faith and trust in its military. The rebellion officers compare the current crisis to 1971, when Pakistan’s military mishandling led to the loss of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh. They warn that if Gen Munir does not step down, they will “march on Rawalpindi”. The letter suggests that a Council of Generals should take over to restore credibility to the institution.

US’ Sanctions and UK’s Legal Charges Against Gen Munir

The rebellion within the Pakistan Army is not the only crisis Gen Munir faces. His name is already under scrutiny in Washington and London, where legal and diplomatic pressure is mounting. Gen Munir is under an international clout that could further weaken his grip on power and embarrass the nation.

Congressman Joe Wilson introduced the ‘Pakistan Democracy Act’ in the US Congress in March 2025, seeking sanctions against Gen Munir under the Global Human Rights Accountability Act. It could freeze Gen Munir’s assets and impose a travel ban besides economic pressure on Pakistan. Imagine a nation where its army chief is under an international ban. The legislation signals frustration within the US over Pakistan’s democratic farce and military predominance.

In the UK, British lawyer Michael Polak has filed a case with the UK’s Metropolitan Police to prosecute Gen Munir for crimes against humanity concerning the “Islamabad Massacre” of November 2024, when security forces opened fire on peaceful protestors. The case will investigate war crimes and torture.

Regional Implications

The instability within Pakistan’s military is not just an internal matter; it has direct consequences for regional stability.

Pakistan’s Brewing Military Mutiny: If the waves of the rebellion escalate into a full-scale tide of mutiny, it could fracture the Pakistan Army and discredit the nation. This could create an upsurge of insurgencies in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh and give fuel to terrorist groups like TTP and Islamic State – Khorasan Province to expand their influence.

Spill-Over Effect on the Borders: India will need to keep its guard up for any spillover effects or diversionary play by Pakistan’s military. Traditionally instability in Pakistan tends to push its military to resort to diversionary tactics, such as cross-border skirmishes or increased support for militant groups operating in Kashmir. Such actions aim to bring the military to the fore as guardians of the nation and its ideology.

CPEC Under Attack: The wave of militancy, particularly BLA in Balochistan and TTP in heartland Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, threatens the China-Pakistan relationship and the billions of dollars at stake in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The attacks targeting Chinese workers, investments, and sites of geostrategic significance have pushed China into going public with its concerns over the lack of security in Pakistan.

The Taliban-US New Power Dynamics: The political dynamics of South Asia are experiencing swift and major transformations that revolve around the changing interactions between Pakistan, the US, and the Taliban. The shifting balance of power in the region can be seen through the US decision to eliminate bounties on top Haqqani network leaders together with newly proposed sanctions against Pakistan’s Army Chief and ongoing military dissent within Pakistan.

Deep State in Deep Trouble

For decades, Pakistan’s military has manipulated democracy while maintaining a façade of stability. That illusion is now shattered. The rebellion within the Pakistan Army, combined with mounting international pressure and regional instability, puts the country at its most vulnerable point in history. The Pakistan Army is no longer the unquestioned power centre it once was. This crisis marks a historic moment where soldiers themselves are condemning the institution’s role in rigging elections, crushing dissent, and manipulating democracy.

Whether Gen Munir steps down or fights to retain power, Pakistan’s military has lost the absolute authority it once wielded. It stands beaten internally and externally as a professional and respected force. The coming weeks will determine if Pakistan navigates this crisis with an orderly transition or spirals into anarchy and violence. One thing is certain: ‘The Deep State is in Deep Trouble’.

The author is former Director General, Mechanised Forces. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.