‘Pakistan is being run by puppet rulers’, JSMM chief reveals the army’s reality to the Pakistani people and the world

Berlin. Shafi Burfat, head of the Sindhi nationalist organization JSMM, has leveled serious allegations against Pakistan’s military and military leadership. He said that Pakistan’s military establishment has long patronized religious extremism and terrorism and has deep control over the country’s politics, judiciary, media, and economy.

In a detailed statement released on the social media platform X, Burfat said that real power in Pakistan has always been in the hands of the military. According to him, the military has repeatedly toppled democratic governments, removed elected leaders from power, jailed political opponents, and forced dissent to leave the country.

He alleged that Pakistan has been governed by military-backed puppet rulers rather than elected governments. Burfat said the military controls not only politics but also the media, the judiciary and large parts of the economy.

The JSMM chief said Pakistan’s military chief periodically tries to portray himself as a nationalist hero. He alleged that the army has been using religious nationalism, displays of military might, and jingoistic rhetoric to strengthen its hold on the country.

Burfat specifically criticized Asim Munir. He said that aggressive statements against neighboring countries, nuclear threats, and ultra-nationalist rhetoric are not the hallmarks of responsible military leadership. According to him, such rhetoric exposes Pakistan’s internal political instability and insecurity.

He said Pakistan’s military establishment has long used fear, religious nationalism, perpetual conflict, and ideological manipulation as tools to maintain power. According to Burfat, this has led to the weakening of democratic institutions and the continued curtailment of civil liberties in the country.

Burfat described Pakistan as having an unnatural state structure, alleging that the military interfered in electoral processes, influenced political parties, and used state agencies to suppress dissenting voices. He said journalists, students, intellectuals, political activists, and human rights defenders faced censorship, detention, enforced disappearances, torture, and political intimidation.

He claimed that courts, media institutions, and even elected representatives operate under the shadow of military dominance. Burfat alleged that the Pakistan military has maintained a system of indirect rule through various political factions and civilian governments.

The JSMM chief also said that historical evidence suggests that Pakistan’s military establishment not only patronized extremist and terrorist organizations but also used them to destabilize neighboring countries. However, the Pakistani military and government have previously denied such allegations.