Asim Munir’s Nine Lives: Pakistan’s Army Chief Escapes Trump
Pakistan promoted General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal. (Image X)
From Hamas dilemma to Trump’s pressure, Asim Munir survives again—proving Pakistan’s real power centre remains untouchable
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, January 11, 2026 — There is an old saying: a cat has nine lives. Few metaphors describe Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir better.
Time and again, Munir has escaped situations that should have ended careers, reputations—regimes. Power slips away, legitimacy erodes, pressure mounts—yet somehow, the man survives, resets the narrative, and tightens his grip.
The latest trigger exposes just how extraordinary this survival instinct is.
The Trump–Gaza Trap
US President Donald Trump’s proposed international security force for Gaza created a nightmare scenario for Pakistan. Under Trump’s vision, Muslim countries would shoulder the burden—boots on ground, costs, and casualties. And if Pakistan were pulled in, the Pakistani Army would inevitably face Hamas.
Imagine the optics. A Muslim army killing fellow Muslims. Pakistan’s army confronting a group that, politically or emotionally, resonates across sections of the Islamic world. The domestic backlash would have been devastating.
For Asim Munir, it was an impossible dilemma: Say no to Trump—and lose Washington. Say yes—and face domestic outrage, legitimacy collapse, and possibly rebellion within Pakistan. And saying “no” to Trump was never an option.
Why Munir Couldn’t Refuse Trump
Munir has invested heavily in courting Trump’s ecosystem. From showcasing Balochistan’s critical mineral reserves as an alternative to China, to dangling opportunities for American companies, Pakistan positioned itself as a strategic fallback for US supply chains.
There were also loud whispers—unverified but persistent—about Pakistan’s interest in crypto and Bitcoin diplomacy, aligning with Trump’s financial worldview.
In short, Munir had burnt all bridges behind him. Trump had to be kept close.
So how did he escape?
Enter Netanyahu—The Ultimate Disruptor
Salvation arrived from an unexpected quarter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguably the only global leader with the leverage to stall Trump’s security plans, pulled the plug.
Once Gaza deployment was vetoed, Pakistan was instantly relieved. No troops. No Hamas confrontation. No domestic backlash. Asim Munir walked out unscathed—again.
Not the First Time
This was not Munir’s first miraculous escape. When Imran Khan sensed that Munir’s rise threatened his premiership, he attempted to clip the Army Chief’s wings. The result? Imran Khan was removed. Jailed. His party dismantled.
Its leadership dragged through military courts. The challenger vanished. Munir remained.
Even Military Defeat Couldn’t Touch Him
After the Pahalgam terror attack and the four-day India–Pakistan military escalation, Pakistan appeared cornered. India held the upper hand. A humiliating outcome for Rawalpindi seemed inevitable.
Then—suddenly—a ceasefire.
In Pakistan’s narrative, the army emerged victorious. In reality, Munir emerged promoted. He became Field Marshal, received a four-year extension post-retirement, and consolidated power further under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s watch.
A defeat rewritten as triumph. A crisis converted into capital.
The Pattern Is Clear
Asim Munir doesn’t merely survive crises—he harvests them.
Every existential threat: Ends with rivals eliminated; Narratives inverted; and Authority reinforced.
Luck? Strategy? Ruthlessness? Perhaps all three.
But one thing is undeniable: Pakistan’s democracy, diplomacy, and destiny remain hostage to one institution—and one man.
The cat lives again.
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