Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent involvement in disaster management has ignited widespread debate over the military’s growing role in civilian affairs.

His visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters in Islamabad on 4 August 2026 was presented by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) as a routine inspection of monsoon preparedness, but the optics of the event have fuelled public anger.

Munir was briefed on “Disaster Lens 2026,” a real-time monitoring platform tracking flood risks across the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, as well as flash flood warnings in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He praised the NDMA’s technological capabilities and pledged full military support for rescue and rehabilitation operations. Yet, conspicuously absent were the prime minister, provincial chief ministers, and civilian climate officials who constitutionally hold responsibility for disaster risk reduction.

The backlash stems from concerns that the military is encroaching upon civilian domains. Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution, reinforced by the 18th Amendment, places disaster response and urban planning under civilian jurisdiction.

Citizens expressed frustration on social media, questioning why the army chief was presiding over matters reserved for elected representatives. Many saw this as further evidence that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is overshadowed by General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

The controversy is compounded by Pakistan’s deteriorating security environment. Data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) shows that in the first seven months of 2026, 2,786 people were killed in terror-related incidents, including 434 security personnel. July alone saw 112 security officials killed, marking the deadliest month in years. Critics argue that the army’s focus should remain on counter-terrorism rather than weather forecasting and urban flood management.

Munir’s involvement in disaster management follows his participation in a July 2026 national conference on population control, co-chaired with Prime Minister Sharif. This has reinforced perceptions of the military’s expanding footprint in civilian governance.

Through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the military already wields influence over foreign investment, mining projects, corporate farming, and energy restructuring. Now, with roles in demography and disaster management, the military’s reach appears to be extending into nearly every civilian sphere.

The NDMA itself has long been criticised for its structural flaws. Established after the devastating 2010 floods, it was intended as a civilian-led institution. However, it has consistently been headed by serving or retired generals, undermining its technical capacity in climate science and urban engineering.

The 18th Amendment devolved disaster management powers to provinces, but coordination between military-led federal authorities and civilian provincial governments remains weak, perpetuating reliance on military deployments during crises.

This civil-military imbalance is unfolding against a backdrop of political instability and economic hardship. The disputed 2024 elections left opposition parties, led by Imran Khan’s PTI, questioning the legitimacy of the current government.

Meanwhile, Pakistanis are enduring painful IMF-mandated reforms, including higher electricity tariffs, new taxes, and reduced fuel subsidies. For citizens struggling with daily survival, the sight of the army chief managing civilian portfolios—from corporate farming to flood drainage—has deepened resentment and eroded trust in governance.

The episode underscores Pakistan’s enduring challenge: the military’s dominance in spheres constitutionally reserved for civilian leadership. As Munir’s disaster management role demonstrates, the boundaries between military and civilian authority continue to blur, raising questions about accountability, priorities, and the future of democratic governance in the country.

Agencies