By Manahil Jaffer

In recent times, there has been a noticeable increase in India’s concern over the internal affairs of Pakistan, particularly regarding the leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. An article published in The Times of India titled “Army Chief for Life: How the Establishment is Tightening its Grip on Elected Government in Pakistan” offers insight into this apprehension, albeit from a biased perspective. Instead of addressing genuine regional security concerns, the article largely focuses on speculative fears and politicized statements about Pakistan’s military leadership. However, this growing unease in India is rooted in broader regional insecurities, highlighted by its own complex internal challenges.

General Asim Munir’s tenure as COAS has witnessed Pakistan reinforcing its commitment to stability, development, and sovereignty. His tenure is grounded in a vision that seeks security and prosperity, evident through focused efforts on counter-terrorism, regional peace, and collaboration with allied nations. Pakistan’s approach under Gen Munir promotes constructive diplomacy and addresses internal security issues, helping to stabilize the region. This, however, seems to unsettle India, particularly under the current BJP-led government.

The article by The Times of India not only attempts to misrepresent Gen Munir’s vision but goes as far as to imply an “eternal” military rule, based on Pakistan’s decision to extend the tenure of military leadership for continuity. The extension of General Asim Munir’s tenure as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan is a strategic decision driven by the precarious security situation in the region, which has been exacerbated by cross-border terrorism. India’s sponsorship of groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghanistan has posed significant threats to Pakistan’s national security. Under General Munir’s leadership, Pakistan has made significant strides in countering these challenges, with an unwavering focus on eliminating terrorist networks and bolstering the country’s security posture. His tenure has seen a decisive crackdown on these terrorist outfits, which has played a key role in preventing further destabilization. By extending his leadership, Pakistan ensures continuity in its counterterrorism efforts and strengthens its defense capabilities, which is critical given the ongoing regional tensions and security threats. General Munir’s leadership has been instrumental in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, and his ongoing command ensures that Pakistan remains resilient in the face of external threats and internal security challenges.
While attempting to spotlight Pakistan’s internal decisions, the Times of India overlooks India’s own pressing social issues. The slogan “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” has been undermined by the stark reality of caste-based discrimination, communal violence, and state-sponsored ethnic marginalization within India. NCRB data reveals that caste discrimination is far from eradicated; in 2023 alone, over 40,000 cases of caste-related discrimination were reported, alongside a staggering 25% increase in crimes against Dalits over the past five years. Cases such as the one in Mandya, Karnataka, where Dalits were denied entry into a temple, underscore the deep-seated divisions in India’s social fabric that “unity” slogans cannot conceal.

Furthermore, India’s northeastern state of Manipur has faced unprecedented communal violence under the BJP’s leadership, with fresh waves of conflict erupting regularly. The reports of state-sanctioned violence raise serious questions about India’s commitment to its own principles of unity and harmony. The ethnic violence in Manipur, far from isolated, reflects a troubling pattern of systemic communal discrimination often ignored by India’s mainstream media.
In 2023 alone, over 40,000 cases of caste discrimination were reported across India. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed a shocking 25% increase in crimes against Dalits over the past five years. The appalling statistics expose the structural violence and social inequity that continue to plague Indian society. In Karnataka’s Mandya, Dalits were openly humiliated and denied access to a temple, an act of exclusion that highlights the social apartheid in India’s so-called secular society. Under Modi’s government, these caste-based discriminations have only been exacerbated by the systematic undermining of India’s secular fabric and the rise of Hindutva extremism.

Moreover, the recent violence in Manipur, which has spiraled into ethnic cleansing under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, has revealed the depths of India’s internal collapse. These are not isolated incidents; they represent a coordinated attempt to silence and erase entire communities, supported by the state’s indifference and complicity. The violence, which has displaced thousands and resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, is now widely acknowledged as a case of state-sponsored ethnic cleansing. This ongoing horror remains largely unaddressed by the Indian government, who instead focuses on external distractions like the alleged threat posed by General Munir’s military tenure.

While India’s media points to alleged concerns within Pakistan’s political structure, it’s ironic that The Times of India itself reflects the divisive rhetoric often propagated by BJP-aligned outlets. The assumption that opposition from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) toward policy amendments indicates an “all-weather” partnership with India is a reductive oversimplification. Pakistan’s political dynamics, like those in any democratic nation, are nuanced and multifaceted, and political opposition is a natural aspect of democratic discourse. This politicization of Pakistani internal affairs only illustrates India’s discomfort with Pakistan’s steady political progress and military discipline.

The extension of tenure for Pakistan’s military leaders, aimed at maintaining continuity and stability, has been repeatedly misinterpreted by Indian analysts as an authoritarian move. Such interpretations reveal India’s fear that Pakistan, under a disciplined and strategic military leadership, will continue to strengthen and develop its regional influence. In reality, Gen Munir’s leadership focuses on safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and regional stability, rather than engaging in unnecessary provocations.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s emphasis on border security, counter-terrorism, and peaceful coexistence under Gen Munir’s leadership is a counterbalance to India’s own heavy-handed approach. Under Modi’s administration, India has pursued aggressive posturing, often at the expense of dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan, in contrast, has adhered to diplomatic channels while protecting its national interests—a fact that remains underappreciated by India’s media.

India’s fixation on Pakistan’s military leadership and internal policies seems to reflect an internal need to project strength and control, even as it grapples with complex internal crises, from caste-based violence to ethnic unrest. The real question isn’t about Pakistan’s leadership choices but rather why India feels compelled to undermine its neighbor’s stability efforts.