In recent months, Pakistan’s military establishment has faced growing criticism from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who openly questioned Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s handling of national security and governance. The army arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, a former prime minister, to quell dissent. Asim Munir, criticized for his stance against Imran Khan, is now reportedly adopting a new strategy to suppress Rehman.
Officials suggest that the rise of the Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) poses a challenge for Asim Munir. To avoid overt confrontation, the army, led by Munir, is reportedly supporting the Milli Muslim League (MML), a political outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba, to counter Rehman’s party. The military aims to project the JUI-F and MML rivalry as purely political, while behind the scenes, violent tactics may be employed, including targeted killings.
The army’s plan, seemingly aimed at intimidating Rehman into toning down rhetoric, involves leveraging the resources of Lashkar-e-Taiba through the MML. This strategy, postulated by officials, reveals internal fault lines within terror groups following Operation Sindoor. The Jaish-e-Mohammad, aligned with JUI (F), is likely to react strongly, given their historical ties and shared religious affiliations.
Pakistan observers anticipate temporary success from the army’s strategy but foresee potential repercussions. The plan may strain relations with the Afghan Taliban, with whom both Jaish-e-Mohammad and JUI (F) have historical ties. Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have escalated, with implications for the country’s security dynamics. Experts warn that the army’s actions could provoke the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and worsen security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
As Munir takes this significant gamble, experts note his growing desperation post Operation Sindoor, where efforts to re-engage Jaish-e-Mohammad failed. The erosion of trust between the army and Jaish-e-Mohammad post Operation Sindoor complicates the current situation. Officials caution that Munir’s latest attempt to suppress dissent risks backfiring amid existing security challenges in Pakistan.
