Munir in Iran, Sharif in Saudi: Does the choice of venues show who's in charge of Pakistan?

While Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif remains the constitutional head of government, a growing body of evidence points toward Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as the main figure shaping Islamabad's trajectory.

The latest round was triggered by comments from former Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who offered a blunt assessment of Pakistan’s leadership dynamics.

“Frankly, there is no two opinions about that. Right now, Pakistan is led by General Asim Munir. He is the de facto leader of Pakistan. The decision-making right now is with the Field Marshal or CDF…” he said, in remarks to ANI news agency.

Chaudhry linked his assessment to international recognition of Munir’s role, particularly statements made by Donald Trump. “Even yesterday, President Trump actually named General Asim Munir as the Leader of Pakistan, and he has not even bothered to talk about Shehbaz Sharif…” he added.

More from Explainers

The great Islamabad tea break is back: When hospitality takes over diplomacy

The Iran war is more about the Mandarins than the Mullahs

How Munir’s global footprint is expanding

One of the most visible indicators of this shift has been the role played by Asim Munir in mediating tensions between the United States and Iran. In recent weeks, Pakistan has positioned itself as a facilitator in efforts to prevent escalation in West Asia, with Munir at the centre of these initiatives.

Following a round of talks in Islamabad that ended without a breakthrough, Munir travelled to Tehran to continue discussions with Iranian leadership. According to a senior Iranian source, his objective was to “narrow gaps” between Washington and Tehran, highlighting his direct involvement in sensitive negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi publicly welcomed Munir’s visit, stating that Iran remained committed to “promoting peace and stability in the region.”

The United States has also acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation role. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the discussions as constructive, stating, “We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” and characterising the talks as “productive and ongoing.”

She added that further in-person negotiations could take place, potentially again in Pakistan.

Munir’s direct engagement with senior US officials, including US Vice President JD Vance, and his hands-on role in managing negotiations have reinforced the perception that he is Pakistan’s principal representative in matters of strategic importance.

How optics have favoured Munir

The role of Donald Trump in shaping perceptions of Pakistan’s leadership cannot be overlooked. Trump has publicly credited Field Marshal Asim Munir for contributing to a temporary ceasefire arrangement in the region.

This pattern of acknowledgment has been accompanied by a notable absence of references to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in similar contexts.

Recent developments have also highlighted the contrast. While Asim Munir was in Tehran on Wednesday working to advance negotiations between the United States and Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was engaged in a scheduled visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.

A similar pattern was observed during a joint visit to the White House in 2025, where both Sharif and Munir met with US officials. However, subsequent briefings and discussions were reportedly dominated by security-related topics linked to the military, with comparatively less emphasis on the civilian government’s economic agenda.

Trump also expressed confidence in Munir’s leadership, reportedly describing him as a “fantastic” figure and suggesting that future US-Iran talks could be hosted in Pakistan within days.

On several other occasions last year, Trump described Munir as “a great fighter”, “a very important guy”, and an “exceptional human being”. After their meeting in June last year, the US president said he was “honoured” to meet Munir.

State media portrayals of interactions between the prime minister and the military have also contributed to this perception. For example, Sharif’s visits to the General Headquarters (GHQ) for briefings on security matters have often been framed in a manner that suggests he is receiving updates rather than directing policy.

How a hybrid regime in Pakistan is rising

Beyond individual statements and diplomatic engagements, structural changes within Pakistan’s governance framework have contributed to the current narrative.

A central component of this framework is the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which has emerged as the primary platform for managing large-scale foreign investments.

Initially established in 2023, the SIFC gained significant authority over the following years, particularly in handling investments from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and China.

While the prime minister formally heads the council, the military’s role as a guarantor for investors has shaped perceptions about where real authority lies.

The SIFC operates as a “one-window” mechanism, streamlining decision-making processes that were previously distributed across multiple civilian institutions.

The evolving system has also been described as “Hybrid Militarised Legalism” by analysts.

One aspect of this shift is the perceived reorientation of judicial processes. Observers suggest that legal mechanisms increasingly prioritise narratives linked to national security, thereby shaping outcomes in a manner consistent with military perspectives.

At the executive level, the relationship between civilian leadership and the military appears to have undergone a subtle transformation. Public statements by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have often highlighted the contributions of the armed forces, framing the government as a supporting entity rather than the primary driver of policy.

For instance, in the aftermath of the April ceasefire, Sharif’s official remarks focused on acknowledging Munir’s “historic role” rather than presenting the outcome as a diplomatic achievement of the civilian administration.

So, who governs Pakistan?

On paper, the country continues to function as a parliamentary democracy, with Shehbaz Sharif as the elected prime minister.

In practice, however, diplomatic prominence and institutional authority has elevated Asim Munir to a position of considerable influence. These factors has fuelled a narrative that Pakistan’s “center of gravity” has shifted toward the military leadership.

The coexistence of both roles reflects a hybrid system in which authority is distributed in ways that are not always aligned with formal structures.

With inputs from agencies