Pakistan's civilian government has effectively yielded to Army Chief General Asim Munir's demand to transform the country into a 'hard state' — a policy now identified as the principal driver of the nation's deepening turmoil, characterised by political instability, widespread public dissent, and a relentless cycle of violence, according to a report published in Eurasia Review.

The 'Hard State' Policy and Its Consequences

The report argues that the prevailing crisis demands rational, flexible governance — yet the current approach is defined by rigidity and an uncompromising stance. Retired Indian Army Officer Nilesh Kunwar, writing in Eurasia Review, contends that Rawalpindi has not pursued a genuine counter-terrorism strategy but instead follows an expedient policy of 'pruning' militancy rather than eradicating it.

'The Pakistan army maintains that it's going after terrorists of all hue and colour. The reality however, is that instead of evolving a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy aimed at weeding out terrorism, Rawalpindi is following the expedient policy of pruning terrorism and is content with keeping the threat at a manageable level rather than eradicating it,' Kunwar wrote.

He further noted that since Pakistan's much-publicised post-9/11 War on Terror, the country has signed at least seven major peace accords and numerous informal truce agreements with various militant groups — not one of which has endured.

Munir's Own Words Contradict His Actions

Kunwar cited General Munir's remarks before Pakistan's Parliamentary Committee on National Security, in which the army chief himself asked: 'How long will we continue to fill the governance gaps with the blood of the armed forces of Pakistan and the martyrs?' The report notes that, given his dominant position in Pakistan's so-called 'hybrid' government, Munir was expected to address the root causes of militancy — yet has instead adopted a punitive posture, allegedly allowing security forces to intensify their operations without adequate civilian safeguards.

Balochistan and KP Bear the Brunt

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are currently experiencing what the report describes as an unprecedented escalation in violence and severe repression. Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by security forces and intelligence agencies have, according to the report, become a 'new normal' in these regions. The deployment of heavy weaponry, drones, and fighter jets has reportedly resulted in substantial civilian casualties, further deepening anti-army sentiment among local populations.

Unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir

The report reserves particular criticism for General Munir's handling of protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The peaceful agitation led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) — driven by grievances over governance failures and economic neglect rather than any political or ideological agenda — was met with military force rather than negotiation, according to the report. 'The indiscriminate use of force has led to several deaths and serious injuries,' it stated. This approach, analysts argue, has triggered unprecedented unrest in the occupied territory.

What Comes Next

The report concludes that sustainable stability in Pakistan is possible only by abandoning the current militarised approach in favour of political dialogue and governance reform. As long as the army's grip on civilian decision-making remains unchecked, critics argue, the cycle of repression and blowback is unlikely to be broken.