Pakistan’s power triangle

Pakistan’s political system is shaped by an intricate balance between elected civilian institutions and one of the world’s most influential military establishments. At the center of this dynamic are three figures whose respective roles define the country’s governance, domestic politics, and foreign policy: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff and Field Marshal Asim Munir.

While the president serves as the constitutional head of state, the prime minister directs the executive branch and government policy, and the military chief commands an institution that has historically played a decisive role in Pakistan’s political trajectory. Together, these three leaders represent different pillars of the Pakistani state. Understanding their biographies offers valuable insight into Pakistan’s contemporary political landscape.

Asif Ali Zardari: A veteran politician and two-time president

Asif Ali Zardari comes from a politically active and influential background. He entered national politics in the late 1980s following his marriage to Benazir Bhutto, who became the Muslim world’s first female prime minister after her election in 1988. The couple had three children before Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi in December 2007, a turning point that reshaped Pakistan’s political landscape and elevated Zardari to the forefront of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Zardari’s political career spans more than 3 decades. He served as a Member of the National Assembly during the 1990s and held ministerial portfolios including Environment and Investment under Bhutto’s governments. He later became a Senator, further consolidating his position within the PPP, where he eventually assumed the roles of Co-Chairperson of the party and President of PPP Parliamentarians.

His political journey, however, has been accompanied by considerable controversy. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Zardari faced numerous allegations of corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office. Nicknamed “Mr. Ten Percent” by critics, he spent nearly 8 years in prison, although many of the charges were later dismissed, overturned, or remained unproven in court. His supporters have consistently argued that many of the accusations were politically motivated attempts to weaken both him and Benazir Bhutto.

Following Bhutto’s assassination, Zardari successfully led the PPP to victory in the 2008 general elections and became Pakistan’s 11th President, serving from 2008 to 2013. His presidency coincided with a period of severe internal security challenges, including terrorist violence, economic instability, devastating floods, and complex relations with both the United States (U.S.) and Pakistan’s military establishment.

Despite these difficulties, Zardari’s presidency is widely associated with one of Pakistan’s most significant constitutional reforms: the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Passed unanimously in 2010, the amendment substantially strengthened parliamentary democracy by transferring several presidential powers to Parliament and the PM, expanding provincial autonomy, and reforming judicial appointments. By voluntarily relinquishing many executive authorities traditionally held by the presidency, Zardari helped transform the office into a largely ceremonial institution, reinforcing Pakistan’s parliamentary system.

In March 2024, following a coalition agreement between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Zardari was elected as Pakistan’s 14th President, becoming one of the few political leaders in the country's history to serve two non-consecutive presidential terms.

Shehbaz Sharif: The administrator turned prime minister

Shehbaz Sharif belongs to one of Pakistan’s most prominent political families. The younger brother of three-time PM Nawaz Sharif, he entered public life after managing his family’s successful industrial businesses before transitioning into politics during the 1980s.

Unlike his elder brother, whose political career was frequently characterized by direct confrontations with Pakistan’s military establishment, Shehbaz cultivated a reputation as a pragmatic administrator focused on governance, infrastructure development, and public service delivery. This image was largely built during his multiple terms as Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s largest and most economically important province.

During his tenure in Punjab, Shehbaz became known for his energetic management style and emphasis on rapid implementation of large-scale development projects. His administration oversaw significant investments in transportation infrastructure, including Lahore’s metro bus system, urban modernization projects, healthcare initiatives, and education reforms. He also played a central role in implementing projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), earning praise from Chinese officials for the speed and efficiency of project execution.

Like other members of the Sharif family, Shehbaz has faced multiple corruption investigations over the years. Although several cases were pursued by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau, he has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the allegations were politically motivated. Unlike some other political figures, however, he has never been convicted of corruption.

Following the removal of PM Imran Khan through a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022, Shehbaz Sharif became Pakistan’s PM for the first time. His government inherited mounting economic challenges, including soaring inflation, declining foreign exchange reserves, fiscal pressures, and ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

After the closely contested 2024 general elections, the PML-N formed another coalition government with the PPP, allowing Shehbaz Sharif to return as PM. His administration has prioritized economic stabilization, attracting foreign investment, strengthening relations with Gulf countries and China, and managing Pakistan’s complex regional security environment. Throughout his political career, Shehbaz has generally been viewed as a consensus builder capable of maintaining working relationships across Pakistan’s civilian and military institutions.

Field Marshal Asim Munir: Pakistan’s most influential military leader

General Asim Munir Ahmed Shah, later promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, represents the latest generation of Pakistan’s powerful military leadership. Unlike many senior officers who came from established military families, Munir rose through the ranks after joining the Pakistan Army through the Officers Training School.

His intelligence background distinguished his early military career. He served successively as Director General of Military Intelligence and later as Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency. His tenure as ISI chief ended in 2019 after disagreements with then PM Imran Khan, but he continued serving in senior military commands before being appointed Chief of Army Staff by PM Shehbaz Sharif in November 2022.

Munir assumed command during one of Pakistan’s most politically polarized periods. His tenure has coincided with an extensive crackdown on supporters of former PM Imran Khan following the political unrest of 2023 and the disputed 2024 elections. Critics have accused the military of exercising excessive influence over civilian governance, while supporters argue that strong military leadership has been necessary to preserve national stability amid political and security challenges.

Internationally, Munir has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most active military diplomats. He has strengthened strategic ties with the U.S., Saudi Arabia, China, and Gulf states while maintaining active engagement on regional security issues involving Afghanistan, Iran, and India. His role during periods of heightened regional tensions has further elevated Pakistan’s diplomatic profile, particularly through military-to-military engagement and security cooperation.

His leadership also gained prominence following Pakistan’s military confrontation with India in 2025, after which he was promoted to the rare 5-star rank of Field Marshal, making him only the second officer in Pakistan’s history to hold that title. His promotion reflected the military’s assessment of his leadership during the conflict and further consolidated his standing within Pakistan’s security establishment.

Domestically, however, Munir remains a highly polarizing figure. While supporters credit him with strengthening national security and restoring the military’s institutional authority, critics argue that the expanding influence of the armed forces under his leadership has further blurred the constitutional boundaries between civilian government and military power.

Therefore, the careers of Asif Ali Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif, and Asim Munir illustrate the unique characteristics of Pakistan’s political system, where elected institutions, political dynasties, and the military establishment remain deeply interconnected. Together, their leadership continues to shape Pakistan’s domestic politics, security policies, and international relations at a time of significant regional and global change.