Pakistan has entered a dangerous new phase. With Field Marshal Asim Munir now assuming the unprecedented dual role of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, the country has effectively placed all military power—army, air force and navy (and nuclear)—under a single commander for the first time in its history. The decision to abolish the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and hand the unified command to Munir amounts to a structural coup, formalised through parliament and endorsed by a compliant presidency. The changes make Munir the most powerful man in South and West Asia, with a radical Islamic army, a shadow army of jihadi terrorists who have long experience of battle in Afghanistan and Kashmir and most dangerously, an Islamic nuclear arsenal. Munir has also demonstrated that he is willing to ally with China, North Korea and any one else for the right price.

This consolidation occurs at a moment when Pakistan is visibly more volatile at home and increasingly confrontational abroad. Border skirmishes with Afghanistan have intensified, with Islamabad........

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