Why General Asim Munir’s Hardline Strategy Is Failing Pakistan: Extremism, Insurgency, and Global Isolation

On April 17, 2025, General Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, stood before a crowd at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad and invoked the Two-Nation Theory, the foundational idea behind the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. While it may have stirred nationalist sentiments among the audience, it also signaled a disturbing return to outdated ideologies, one that threatens to further isolate Pakistan diplomatically and destabilize it internally.

This article examines why General Munir’s ideological assertions, handling of internal insurgencies, and indirect endorsement of militancy could ultimately backfire and deepen Pakistan's political, economic, and social crises.

Who is General Asim Munir?

General Munir was commissioned into the Pakistan Army in 1986 and steadily rose through the ranks, serving as Director General of Military Intelligence and later of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Known for his strict and conservative approach, Munir became Army Chief in November 2022, succeeding General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

However, Munir’s tenure has been marked more by confrontation and controversy than by strategic innovation. His rhetoric and actions reflect a mindset rooted in Cold War-era paranoia and ideological rigidity.

The Rebirth of the Two-Nation Theory: An Outdated Notion

In his recent speech, Munir said:

“Our religion is different, our customs are different... That’s where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, not one.”

This assertion ignores historical and present realities. The Two-Nation Theory suffered a devastating blow in 1971 when East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) seceded despite sharing the same religion. The reason? Ethnic, linguistic, and political repression by West Pakistan. The breakup of Pakistan proved that religion alone is not enough to bind a nation. Ironically, Bangladesh today enjoys more democratic stability and economic growth than Pakistan. However, this stability now faces growing threats as hardline forces attempt to assert influence, putting the country at risk of following a similarly divisive path.

By reasserting this theory in 2025, Munir demonstrates a failure to learn from history and an unwillingness to embrace pluralism—an attitude that has already cost Pakistan dearly in internal divisions and global isolation.

Balochistan Insurgency: Suppression is Not a Solution

Munir’s claim that "even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan" trivializes a decades-old political and ethnic struggle. The insurgency in Balochistan is rooted in genuine grievances over political marginalization, lack of development, and exploitation of natural resources.

Rather than initiating dialogue, successive military-led governments have responded with brutal crackdowns, enforced disappearances, and militarization. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, thousands of Baloch youth remain missing, leading to widespread resentment.

Labeling all dissenters as terrorists is counterproductive. It radicalizes youth, deepens the trust deficit, and fuels further resistance. General Munir’s aggressive rhetoric is likely to push Baloch moderates into extremism and damage any chance of political reconciliation.

Kashmir and the Return to Proxy Warfare

There are increasing concerns, both in India and internationally, that under Munir’s leadership, Pakistan is sliding back into the policy of supporting cross-border militancy in Kashmir. Recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly backed by Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, have sparked fears of a renewed insurgency.

While previous Army Chief Gen. Bajwa had attempted a tentative thaw with India—supporting a ceasefire and backchannel talks—Munir’s strategy appears to be the opposite. By reviving old militant networks, Pakistan is not only risking a military confrontation with India but also inviting international condemnation.

Moreover, this policy could be a domestic ticking time bomb. The same militants once cultivated for “strategic depth” in Kashmir and Afghanistan have turned their guns inward, attacking Pakistani soldiers and civilians. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), for instance, has killed hundreds of security personnel over the past two years, exploiting weak border control and ideological overlaps with the state’s own past policies.

Why This Strategy Will Backfire

International Isolation

Pakistan is already on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) radar and narrowly escaped being blacklisted. Renewed militant activity linked to Pakistan could lead to sanctions, loss of international aid, and further economic downturn.

Economic Collapse

Pakistan's economy is teetering, with inflation above 30%, foreign reserves dipping below $4 billion, and rising unemployment. Instability in regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa discourages foreign investment, especially in infrastructure projects under China’s CPEC initiative.

Internal Radicalization

By promoting extremist rhetoric and sidelining democratic institutions, Munir is strengthening the very forces—like the TTP and sectarian militias—that have turned against the state before. The more these ideologies are mainstreamed, the harder it will be to control them.

Loss of Credibility at Home

Pakistani civil society, particularly in urban centers and among the educated diaspora, is increasingly critical of the military’s role in politics and suppression of dissent. From the banning of political parties like PTI to clampdowns on media, Munir’s authoritarian style is seen as a regression.

Conclusion: A Strategy of Self-Sabotage

General Asim Munir’s tenure thus far represents a continuation of Pakistan’s old failures dressed as ideological purity. His reliance on the outdated Two-Nation Theory, militarized suppression of ethnic dissent, and flirtation with militancy reflect a leadership trapped in the past.

Rather than healing a fractured nation, Munir’s approach risks pushing Pakistan further toward extremism, economic collapse, and diplomatic isolation. As history has shown—be it in Bangladesh or Balochistan—nations built on repression and ideological rigidity ultimately face collapse from within. Munir may be a general by rank, but his political strategy is proving to be a tactical failure—and one that Pakistan can ill afford.