Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reignited debate over the country’s political system after publicly defending what he described as a “hybrid model” of governance, where both military and civilian leadership share power.
His remarks came during a wide-ranging interview with British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, where he also deflected criticism by likening U.S. democracy to a “deep state.”
Defending the ‘Hybrid Model’
When pressed by Hasan on whether Pakistan’s generals hold greater power than elected ministers, Asif rejected the claim outright. “No, it’s not like that… I’m a political appointee, I’m a political worker,” he insisted, arguing that decision-making in Pakistan is built on consensus rather than domination by the armed forces.
Hasan noted that in the U.S., civilian leaders such as the defense secretary have the power to dismiss generals—something unimaginable in Pakistan, where Army Chief General Asim Munir is widely viewed as more influential than Asif himself. In response, Asif countered: “They (the U.S.) have a different model… It’s called deep state.”
The defense minister acknowledged that Pakistan’s history of military rulers has made the army’s influence more visible but refused to concede that generals dictate terms. “We can agree to disagree. It is by consensus, whatever is taking place,” he said.
Hybrid Governance as ‘Practical Necessity’
Asif has previously spoken positively of Pakistan’s hybrid governance arrangement. Earlier this year, in an interview with Arab News cited by Dawn, he praised the system for “doing wonders,” describing it as a “practical necessity” to stabilize the country’s fragile economy and governance structure.
Although he conceded it is not an “ideal democratic government,” he argued it is better suited for Pakistan’s current challenges.
The hybrid system, widely debated in Pakistani politics and media, refers to an informal power-sharing arrangement in which the military wields substantial influence over civilian leadership, shaping key state decisions from security to foreign policy.
U.S. Angle and White House Optics
The debate over Pakistan’s governance model comes as Washington hosts both civilian and military leaders from Islamabad.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir at the Oval Office. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present, underscoring the significance of Pakistan’s dual civilian-military leadership in international diplomacy.
The optics of Sharif and Munir together at the White House reinforced the very point critics often raise: Pakistan’s governance is never purely civilian, nor purely military—it is, in Asif’s own words, “hybrid.”
Broader Implications
Pakistan has long ranked among the world’s lowest performers in democratic governance and human rights. Critics argue that the hybrid arrangement only entrenches military dominance and dilutes accountability. Supporters, however, claim it provides stability in a country beset by political turmoil and economic strain.
Asif’s defense of the model, and his pointed jab at U.S. democracy, highlights Islamabad’s attempt to normalize an unconventional system at a time when international attention is once again focused on Pakistan’s power structure.
Whether consensus truly governs Pakistan, or whether the army continues to call the shots, remains a central question for both domestic and global observers.
