Why Munir's plan to 'split' up Pakistan may spell the end of civilian govt
Pakistan's military chief, Asim Munir, is reportedly considering a plan to divide the country's four provinces into smaller administrative units. Critics fear this could be a 'divide and rule' strategy to weaken civilian political dynasties and consolidate military control.
Why it matters
Restructuring Pakistan's administrative map could fundamentally alter the balance of power between civilian government and the military establishment, impacting regional stability.
In Pakistan, the prime minister has the title, the president has the office, but the military chief has the power. Now, field marshal Asim Munir, the country's most powerful man, is reportedly considering a way to redraw Pakistan's political map.According to The Economist, Munir is considering a radical solution to Pakistan's governance problems: Breaking up the country's four provinces into 12 to 15 smaller provinces, or possibly reorganising administration into as many as 160 smaller units.Smaller units, according to the argument for restructuring, would be easier to govern. But in a country where the military has long wielded influence over civilian governments, the political question is whether they would also be easier to control.The proposal has also raised concerns that weakening provincial governments could shift more political influence from Islamabad's civilian leadership towards the military establishment in Rawalpindi.However, the plan remains unconfirmed, and its details are unclear.
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