Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has openly said that the country is being run under a “hybrid model” where the military holds significant influence alongside the elected government. His comments are being seen as a rare and honest admission from a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Speaking in an interview with Arab News, Asif said the current system is “not an ideal democracy” but a necessary arrangement given the country’s ongoing economic and political challenges. He described the setup as a “co-ownership” between the civilian government and the powerful army.
“This hybrid model may not be perfect,” Asif said, “but it is helping us move forward. If we had adopted this model in the 1990s, our political journey would have been smoother.”
Military and Politics: Still Deeply Linked
Asif’s remarks confirm what many in Pakistan already believe — that the military continues to play a key role in major decisions. Analysts have often criticised this model, calling it a “fixed” system where real power lies with the military, not the politicians.
The Defence Minister also said that the PML-N and the Sharif family have no choice but to work with the military if they want to remain in power. “Compromise is the only realistic option,” he stated.
Praise for Army Chief’s US Visit
Asif praised a recent meeting between Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and former US President Donald Trump. He called it a “turning point” in Pakistan-US relations and said it showed the success of the current system where the army and government work together.
Opposition Hits Back
The comments have sparked sharp reactions from the opposition. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have long claimed that the 2024 elections were rigged. They argue that the PML-N and its allies came to power through unfair means with support from the military.
After Asif’s remarks, many say the government has finally admitted what critics have been claiming for years: that Pakistan’s democracy is largely controlled by the military.
Experts Weigh In
Political analyst Dr Rasul Bakhsh Rais said the current setup makes it clear where real power lies. “This isn’t a true partnership. It’s a system where the military leads and politicians follow. Now they are trying to give it a stamp of legitimacy,” he said.
With this latest confession, questions are being raised about whether Pakistan’s civilian leaders can ever truly govern on their own — or if the hybrid model is here to stay.
