Security, aid, elections and traditional institutional interests: The challenges facing Pakistan’s new Army Chief

Last week marked the formal taking charge of Pakistan’s 17th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), four-star General Asim Munir, who replaced the now-retired Qamar Javed Bajwa as head of the Pakistani Army. Munir has become COAS at a time when Pakistan faces various political challenges, ranging from the escalating insurgency of the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan - TTP) along the border with Afghanistan, continued loan negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), economic downturn, the political standoff between the Sharif government and Imran Khan-led opposition, and the prevailing humanitarian response issues linked to the floods of the summer.