Overview

• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Arab News that Pakistan operates under a “hybrid” system with co-ownership of power between military and civilian leaders.
• Asif insisted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif makes independent decisions while maintaining regular consultations with the military establishment.
• He described the hybrid arrangement as a practical necessity to navigate Pakistan’s current economic and governance challenges.
• Political analysts criticised the model as a fixed government serving subsidiary interests and noted that major parties now function as a façade under military influence.
• The framework gained international attention after Army Chief General Asim Munir’s meeting with President Donald Trump was hailed as a pivotal moment in bilateral relations.