‘Asim Munir the De Facto Leader’: Ex-Pak minister flags power shift in Pakistan, claims Trump ignores PM Shehbaz Sharif
Pakistan’s internal power dynamics have once again come under scrutiny after former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry openly suggested that the country’s real authority currently lies with Army Chief General Asim Munir rather than the elected government.
Speaking candidly, Chaudhry indicated that key decisions are being driven by the military leadership, leaving Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with a limited role in governance.
‘Decision-making lies with the military’
Chaudhry did not mince words while describing the current situation, stating that there is little ambiguity over who is steering the country. According to him, General Munir has effectively emerged as the central figure in Pakistan’s leadership structure.
#WATCH | Islamabad, Pakistan | On being asked who is heading the US-Iran mediation talks in Islamabad, Asim Munir or Shehbaz Sharif, Former Pakistani Minister of Information Fawad Chaudhry says, “Frankly, there is no two opinions about that. Right now, Pakistan is led by General… pic.twitter.com/gMlwa192Ma
— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2026
He pointed out that major policy decisions and strategic directions appear to be influenced primarily by the army chief, reinforcing the perception of a military-dominated setup.
Trump’s remarks add to debate
The issue gained further traction after comments made by US President Donald Trump, who publicly praised General Munir. Chaudhry highlighted that Trump’s remarks notably focused on the army chief while making no reference to Prime Minister Sharif.
This omission, he suggested, reflects how international leaders may also be viewing Pakistan’s leadership hierarchy.
Munir takes lead in diplomatic engagements
Recent developments in Pakistan’s foreign policy engagements seem to support this perception. General Munir has taken a visible and active role in high-level diplomatic interactions, particularly those involving the United States and Iran.
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From receiving international delegations to engaging directly with senior American officials, including Vice President JD Vance, the army chief has been at the forefront of crucial discussions.
Pakistan positioned in US-Iran talks
Pakistan has recently emerged as a potential venue for dialogue between Washington and Tehran, especially after earlier rounds of talks faced setbacks. Trump even hinted that upcoming discussions could take place in Pakistan, expressing confidence in Munir’s leadership.
The growing involvement of the military in such sensitive diplomatic efforts has further blurred the lines between civilian governance and military influence.
Visit to Tehran signals active role
Amid these developments, General Munir travelled to Tehran to facilitate ongoing diplomatic communication between Iran and the United States. Sources indicate that his meetings with senior Iranian officials are expected to focus on assessing the positions of both sides following the stalled negotiations.