Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Lieutenant General Asim Munir as the new army chief putting an end to the days of uncertainty that engulfed the nation. Munir joined the Pakistani military through the Mangla Officers Training School (OTS) programme, where he won the prestigious Sword of Honour, given to the best performing cadet.
Munir currently serves as the quartermaster general at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and is considered an officer with an impeccable reputation within the Pakistani military.
Munir is the only senior general in the present crop of three-star officers who has headed both Military Intelligence (MI) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to be employed as Pakistan’s army chief.
For India, the appointment of Asim Munir as Pakistan’s new army chief will not make much difference. He is likely to follow his predecessor’s line on India.