New Delhi: Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir is currently on a visit to the United States. Over the past few days, he has been making aggressive statements about India, including nuclear and missile threats.
Despite Pakistan’s economic crisis, Munir’s personal wealth continues to grow. In fact, being the Army Chief in Pakistan is not just a military job—it’s similar to being the CEO of a massive business empire.
Pakistan Army – A Business Giant
It is often said that the Pakistan Army is the country’s biggest business group. According to reports, the army runs over 100 companies, many of which are highly profitable.
As Army Chief, Munir benefits from the earnings of these companies. In a way, he acts like the CEO of 100+ businesses—something not even Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest man, can claim.
Real Estate Power and Foundations
The army’s business reach goes beyond defense. It is deeply involved in real estate and runs several large foundations like:
- Fauji Foundation
- Army Welfare Trust
- Shaheen Foundation
- Bahria Foundation
Although these are labelled as “welfare organizations,” they operate like large business corporations, generating huge profits.
Army’s Reach in Every Sector
Well-known Pakistani author Ayesha Siddiqa, in her book "Military Inc: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy", explains how the army controls businesses in nearly every field—cement, banking, transport, dairy, and especially real estate.
In cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, land is often taken in the name of national security and later turned into high-profit housing projects. One of the most famous is the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), which is worth billions of dollars.
It is estimated that the total value of army-run businesses is somewhere between USD 40 billion to USD 100 billion.
How Rich is Asim Munir?
According to estimates, General Asim Munir’s net worth is around USD 800,000, which is about Rs 7 crore in Indian rupees.
So, while Pakistan suffers from financial troubles, its top military leaders continue to enjoy wealth, power, and influence far beyond their military roles.
