“Quiet Coup: Pakistan’s Constitutional Regression”, India Narrative, November 24, 2025
“The promotion of General Asim Munir to the newly established role of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the concurrent awarding of the honorary title of Field Marshal signify a major shift in Pakistan’s military and constitutional narrative. This adjustment, arising from the consequences of Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s failed counteraction, Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, has fundamentally altered the power dynamics between military and civilian authorities. The 27th Constitutional Amendment, which formalises these changes, not only entrenched the military’s dominance but also set a precedent that could reshape the region’s strategic landscape for years to come.
From Defeat to National Hero
Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to cross-border terrorism, dealt a severe blow to Pakistan’s strategic posture. The operation targeted key terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control, crippling Pakistan’s proxy networks and exposing critical vulnerabilities in its military readiness. Pakistan’s retaliatory Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, intended to restore deterrence, collapsed within hours due to poor coordination, intelligence failures, and tactical confusion. Satellite imagery and intercepted communications revealed the disarray of Pakistani forces, with high-ranking commanders retreating under fire and militant networks abandoning their posts.
Despite this operational failure, General Asim Munir was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal, a title last bestowed on President Ayub Khan in 1965. This move was widely interpreted as an attempt by the military establishment to construct a narrative of victory and mask institutional embarrassment. The promotion, which came just days after the conflict, underscored the growing influence of the military over Pakistan’s civilian government. Munir, once criticised for his handling of the failed operation, was suddenly transformed into a national hero, with state media and military propaganda portraying him as the saviour of Pakistan’s honour. This symbolic elevation, however, stood in stark contrast to the ground reality: Pakistan’s military had not won the war, but its media machinery and fake news factories narrated its victory……”
Read full article at indianarrative.com
