In a rare and candid admission, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly acknowledged the central role of the military in the country&rsquo;s governance. His remarks have reignited debate on the fragile balance between civilian leadership and military authority, a subject long viewed as Pakistan&rsquo;s open secret.
Speaking on Monday, Sharif confirmed that he regularly consults Army Chief General Asim Munir on almost every significant national and international issue, ranging from foreign policy to economic management.
&ldquo;We discuss foreign policy, economy, and IMF issues. It&rsquo;s teamwork, and we work day and night with sincerity and smooth coordination,&rdquo; the Prime Minister said.
The statement is being seen as a reinforcement of what critics describe as Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;hybrid regime&rdquo;, a system where the civilian government serves largely as a fa&ccedil;ade, while real authority rests in Rawalpindi&rsquo;s military headquarters.
Observers note that Sharif&rsquo;s words echo similar admissions made recently by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who had conceded that the army plays a decisive role in shaping the country&rsquo;s policies. Together, these remarks have given fresh credibility to assessments that Pakistan functions more as an &ldquo;army state&rdquo; than a true democracy.
Analysts suggest that Sharif&rsquo;s framing of this arrangement as &ldquo;smooth coordination&rdquo; underscores the extent to which elected representatives remain secondary in the nation&rsquo;s power structure. While the Prime Minister sought to portray this partnership as collaborative, the reality appears to highlight the diminishing autonomy of Pakistan&rsquo;s civilian institutions.
The timing of Sharif&rsquo;s admission is particularly sensitive. Pakistan continues to face immense financial strain, relying on international lenders such as the IMF for survival. The acknowledgment that military leaders directly shape negotiations with these institutions could undermine Islamabad&rsquo;s global credibility, reinforcing perceptions of institutional instability.
For India and other regional observers, Sharif&rsquo;s confession adds weight to a long-standing argument: that engagement with Pakistan&rsquo;s civilian government is, in effect, engagement with its military establishment.
With the military&rsquo;s dominance once again laid bare, Pakistan&rsquo;s democratic future looks increasingly uncertain, leaving many to question whether the country&rsquo;s civilian leadership has any real power left beyond ceremonial representation.

Sharif Admits Army Holds Sway in Pakistan

Shehbaz Sharif’s admission cements army’s dominance in Pakistan’s governance model

Sharif Admits Army Holds Sway in Pakistan

Shehbaz Sharif’s admission cements army’s dominance in Pakistan’s governance model

September 30, 2025 | 12:15 IST