- By Supratik Das
- Fri, 02 May 2025 12:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In the wake of increased India-Pakistan tensions after the recent Pahalgam terror attack, news has emerged that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has sent his family abroad. The move comes in the wake of a larger trend, where several senior Pakistani military officials have shifted their families to European nations, raising speculation that General Munir himself might settle abroad after retirement.
The Pakistani Chief of the Army is one of the strongest persons in the nation, having authority not only over national security but also over politics, foreign policy, and the economy. Yet, after retirement, such power fades and is replaced by political retribution fears, intraparty competition, or judicial issues. As per the reports cited by News18, most generals relocate overseas as a security precaution, fearing political opponents or future governments. In such an unstable scenario, past Pakistan military "dictators" tend to remain controversial figures, so relocation overseas is a safer and more secure choice.
Relocation, A Secure Choice
In most cases, retired generals leave with great amounts of money. Leaked files and investigative reports have revealed that several top military officers and their families have acquired multi-million dollar homes, foreign accounts, and other assets abroad, and can enjoy a luxurious life after retirement. Dubai, London, Canada, and the US continue to remain top relocation destinations for retired officers because of their lavish property, political impartiality, and accessibility to wealthy individuals.
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According to the News18 report states that the most famous example is probably that of former Chief General Pervez Musharraf. Following his resignation in 2008 under increasing political pressure and the threat of impeachment, Musharraf went into exile from Pakistan and lived most of his remaining life in Dubai and London. He was tried in absentia for betrayal and died in Dubai in 2023. His replacement, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, is said to have invested foreign assets after retiring in 2013, though some allegations, such as buying an entire island, appear exaggerated. He too faced scrutiny over alleged land scams and investment in foreign properties. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as the head of the army between 2016 and 2022, was also accused of undocumented illegal wealth accumulation. A 2022 investigative report showed that his family accumulated over PKR 12.7 billion in assets during his period in office.
In contrast to the majority of democratic nations, Pakistan's armed forces exercise overwhelming authority over civilian structures. They determine national policy and foreign affairs with decisive power, dominating elected administrations on numerous occasions. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is also suspected of shaping politics and silencing opposition, strengthening military hegemony further. Civilian governments, once they came to power, sought to probe previous abuses or financial improprieties involving former military commanders. Most children and spouses of high-ranking generals already live in nations such as the UK, Canada, the UAE, or other countries for education, business, or lifestyle purposes. Thus, moving after retirement is a matter of convenience.