|
| honorific-prefix = [[General (Pakistan)|General]]
| honorific-suffix = [[Nishan-i-Imtiaz|NI(M)]], [[Hilal-e-Imtiaz|HI(M)]]
| name = Syed Asim Munir Ahmad Shah
| native_name = {{Nastaliq|سید عاصم منیر احمد شاہ}}
| image = General Asim Munir (Pakistan).jpg
| caption = Official military portrait, 2022
}}
'''Syed Asim Munir Ahmad Shah''' [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|NI(M)]] ({{lang-ur|سید عاصم منیر احمد شاہ}}) is a Pakistani army [[general]], the current [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] since 29 November 2022.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Lt General Asim Munir set to become next army chief, govt announces |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1013235-lt-general-asim-munir-set-to-become-next-army-chief-govt-announces |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}</ref> Prior to becoming the army chief, he was posted at the [[General Headquarters (Pakistan Army)|GHQ]] as [[Quartermaster general]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1705151 | title=Who will be the next army chief? | date=16 August 2022 }}</ref> He commanded the [[XXX Corps (Pakistan)|XXX Corps]] in [[Gujranwala]] from 17 June 2019 to 6 October 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=5339|title=Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan|website=www.ispr.gov.pk|access-date=2019-06-16}}</ref> He served as the 23rd [[Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence|Director-General of the ISI]] until he was replaced with [[Lieutenant general (Pakistan)|lieutenant general]] [[Faiz Hameed]] on 16 June 2019.<ref>[https://nation.com.pk/17-Jun-2019/reshuffle-in-army-top-brass Reshuffle in army top brass] 17 June 2019, The Nation.</ref> Asim Munir was the recipient of the prestigious [[Sword of Honour (Pakistan)|Sword of Honour]] for his performance as a cadet in the Officers Training School, [[Mangla]].<ref name="GeoNews" />
== Early life and education ==
On his appointment as COAS, [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al-Jazeera]] described Munir as an officer with an “impeccable reputation”. While [[The Times of India]] described him as a "tough guy" for his hawkish attitude.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=Who is Asim Munir, Pakistan’s new army chief? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/24/who-is-asim-munir-pakistans-new-army-chief |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharan |first=Sunil |title=Asim Munir: The tough guy who became Pakistani army chief |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/strategic-insights/asim-munir-the-tough-guy-who-became-pakistani-army-chief/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Asim Munir is a [[Muslims|Muslim]], with Islam playing a key role in Munir’s life. He is described as a “deeply religious man”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kugelman |first=Michael |date=2024-01-01 |title=Pakistan’s Army Chief Comes to Washington |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/13/pakistan-army-chief-visit-washington-asim-munir/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Foreign Policy |language=en-US}}</ref> Despite his affinity to [[Islam]], he has stressed the need for combating against [[Islamic extremism]], providing a safe nation for Pakistan’s [[Religious Minorities in Pakistan|religious minorities]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army chief meets religious scholars, says no space for extremism against minorities in Pakistan |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2410641/amp |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Rizwan |date=2023-12-25 |title=General Asim Munir Stresses Interfaith Harmony at Christmas Celebration |url=https://bnnbreaking.com/world/pakistan/general-asim-munir-stresses-interfaith-harmony-at-christmas-celebration/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=BNN Breaking |language=en-US}}</ref>
Munir's family are locally known as a [[Hafiz (Quran)|hafiz]] family, as its many members are known to have memorised the entire Qu’ran by heart.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-24 |title=Who is Lt gen Asim Munir? |url=https://newsman.pk/who-is-lt-gen-asim-munir/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=Newsman |language=en-US}}</ref>
Asim Munir is a fitness enthusiast. He likes [[running]], [[Exercise|physical workout]] and [[sport]]s. He is a keen book reader and [[Traveller (role-playing game)|traveller]]. Munir is fluent in [[Arabic]], [[Urdu]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[English language|English]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=Who is Asim Munir, Pakistan’s new army chief? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/24/who-is-asim-munir-pakistans-new-army-chief |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>
Munir graduated from the [[JGSDF Camp Takigahara|Fuji school, Japan]], the [[Command and Staff College, Quetta]], the Malaysian Armed Forces College, [[Kuala Lumpur]] and the [[National Defence University, Islamabad]], where he earned his [[MPhil]] in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management.<ref name="GeoNews">{{Cite web|title=A brief look at General Asim Munir's career|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/454445-a-brief-look-at-lt-gen-asim-munirs-career|date=29 November 2022|website=[[Geo News]]}}</ref>
== Public image ==
Munir has been a polarising figure. He is applauded by some individuals for [[2023 Pakistan crackdown|cracking down]] on dollar hoarding and smuggling,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistani Minister Concedes Security Personnel Involved in Smuggling |url=https://www.voanews.com/amp/pakistani-minister-concedes-security-personnel-involved-in-smuggling/7293678.html |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.voanews.com}}</ref> which strengthened the [[Pakistani rupee]], causing it to be the world’s top-performing currency of September 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shahid |first=Ariba |date=2023-09-28 |title=FX clampdown boosts Pakistani rupee 6.1% to become September's top currency |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/fx-clampdown-boosts-pakistani-rupee-61-become-septembers-top-currency-2023-09-28/ |access-date=2023-12-02}}</ref> Additionally, he contributed in the setting up of the [[Special Investment Facilitation Council]], which aims to bring billions of dollars of investment from overseas, especially the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf|Gulf states]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Debdutta |last2=ThePrint |date=2023-11-28 |title='Well done army chief'—Pakistan general hailed for $25 billion deals with UAE, stocks soar |url=https://theprint.in/go-to-pakistan/well-done-army-chief-pakistan-general-hailed-for-25-billion-deals-with-uae-stocks-soar/1862437/ |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> that are desperately needed amidst the [[2022–2023 Pakistani economic crisis]].
However, Munir is accused of intervening in civil politics,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pakistan’s army is back in charge of politics |work=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2023/08/10/pakistans-army-is-back-in-charge-of-politics |access-date=2023-12-02 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> despite only being trusted with the nation’s security and defence. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-08 |title=Imran Khan's supporters are silenced but determined |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66436731 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Munir has also allegedly suppressed [[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf]] political movement in Pakistan led by [[Imran Khan]]. In the aftermath of [[May 9 riots]], following the arrest of Imran Khan on corruption allegations, Asim Munir used military courts for civilians that rebelled against the army.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Imran Khan alleges ‘reign of terror’ as supporters face trial in military courts {{!}} Imran Khan {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/19/pakistan-thousands-imran-khan-supporters-arrested-hundreds-face-trial |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>
On May 20, 2023, Asim Munir announced that the “legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/undermining-justice-court-martialing-civilians-pakistan|publisher=Wilson Center |title= Undermining Justice: Court-Martialing Civilians in Pakistan |date=2023-05-05 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref> Furthermore, Asim Munir exhorted army professionals to root out PTI inclined individuals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stratnewsglobal.com/articles/pak-army-chief-asim-munir-to-invoke-army-act-to-dock-masterminds-of-may-9-revolt/|publisher=StratNews Global |title= Pak Army Chief Asim Munir To Invoke Army Act To Dock Masterminds Of May 9 Revolt |date=2023-06-08 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref> Human rights organizations raised the concerns that military trials lack the necessary safeguards and transparency, thereby exposing to the risk of potential miscarriages of justice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/undermining-justice-court-martialing-civilians-pakistan|publisher=Wilson Center |title= Undermining Justice: Court-Martialing Civilians in Pakistan |date=2023-06-05 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1759648 |title= HRCP concerned at NA resolution for trials in military courts |date=2023-06-14 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref> In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the trial of civilians in military courts as null and void, thereby drawing a legal line between the civilian and military domain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1783244/sc-strikes-down-military-justice-for-civilians|publisher=Dawn News |title= SC strikes down ‘military justice’ for civilians |date=2023-10-24 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1783552|publisher=Dawn News |title= Military courts |date=2023-10-25 |accessdate=2023-10-25}}</ref>
In addition, he has also been criticised for the [[Deportation of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan|deportation of illegal Afghan refugees]], which he condones,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=‘Security of every Pakistani important’: Army chief Gen Munir amid imminent deportation of migrants |url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/security-of-every-pakistani-important-army-chief-gen-munir-amid-imminent-deportation-of-migrants-13303202.html/amp |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref> despite their tough conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=Pakistan: Widespread Abuses Force Afghans to Leave {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/28/pakistan-widespread-abuses-force-afghans-leave |access-date=2023-12-02 |language=en}}</ref>
==Dates of promotion==
| 