Claim: The Economist has lauded Field Marshal Asim Munir for his role in “strengthening” and “reshaping” the US-Pakistan relations. The claims add that the British magazine has also commended “Pakistan’s new diplomatic strategy” and paid tribute to the army chief as his country entered a new era under his leadership.
Fact: The Economist has not “praised” or paid “tribute” to Field Marshal Munir. While not overly critical, the 3 August 2025 write-up — titled “Pakistan’s army chief is cozying up to Donald Trump” is sceptical and critical of the head of the military. It profiles Munir and his activities this year in both a local and international context, as well as his role in the shift in American policy with respect to Islamabad, Pakistan’s politics, and foreign relations.
In early August 2025, multiple social media pages posted claims that the British magazine The Economist has “praised” Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for “his key role in strengthening” or “reshaping” Pakistan-US ties” (archived here, here, here, and here).
According to one post, The Economist also extolled Field Marshal Asim Munir “on a global level” and commended Pakistan’s new diplomatic strategy.
The British magazine is among several others that paid “tremendous global tributes” to Pakistan’s army chief for his leadership, which had ushered the country into a new era, the claim added.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check searched for articles published by The Economist about Field Marshal Munir and found a write-up (archive) from 3 August 2025. The write-up — which lacks a byline and appears to be a profile of Pakistan’s army chief and his country’s politics and foreign relations — does contain some praise but is largely critical of the head of Pakistan’s military.
The article specifically focuses on Munir’s June 2025 meeting with Trump in the White House, Pakistan’s growing importance in the world and better ties with America, responses from the US, and rumours about the army chief possibly becoming the president.
It also talks about the army chief’s popularity following the India conflict, his early life, education and personality, his views on his country’s arch-rival, his inspiration from world leaders like Saudi Arabia’s Muhammad bin Salman, and his dealings with “jihadist groups” and different elements — religious and political — in Pakistan.
Munir’s recent promotion and involvement in politics — referred to as “meddling” — are also discussed in the article in addition to comments from the military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
According to the article, the spokesperson rebutted rumours about the army chief possibly becoming the president and detailed how Pakistan would respond to any future aggression from India.
While the write-up does contain significant critique of Munir, it also includes some praise. A few examples of this are as follows:
- “Field Marshal Munir’s popularity has surged since the recent skirmish with India.”
- “He is also the first Pakistani army chief not to have trained in America or Britain.”
- “His appetite for risk is greater than that of his predecessor, who favoured quiet—and ultimately fruitless—diplomacy with India.”
- “Even some critics credit the field marshal with resisting foreign pressure not to respond to India’s initial air strikes.”
- “The field marshal’s aim is to build a more sustainable, multi-faceted relationship with America.”
On the other hand, examples of criticism against him are as follows:
- The headline and standfirst: “Pakistan’s army chief is cosying up to Donald Trump” and “The field marshal is also tightening his grip on power at home,” respectively.
- “For almost two years he had been under fire at home over his meddling in politics.”
- “Like MBS, he can be vindictive and has a temper, especially when talking about Mr Khan, who (as prime minister) sacked him as intelligence chief.”
- “Some predict he could grab the presidency soon, to capitalise on his domestic popularity and Mr Trump’s fondness for strongmen.”
Interestingly, The Economist clarified its no-byline rule in an explainer published on 4 September 2013. It is a way of “maintaining a historical tradition”, meaning that it allows “one person to give the impression of being many”, it notes. It adds, “Articles are often the work of The Economist’s hive mind, rather than of a single author. The main reason for anonymity, however, is a belief that what is written is more important than who writes it.”
The Economist has not responded to our request for comment as of writing time.
Virality
Soch Fact Check found the claim here, here, here, and here on Facebook.
We also came across a news report shared by a user with an incorrect caption; it was originally aired by Suno News on 4 August 2025.
The claim was also shared here, here, here, here, and here on Instagram and here on Threads.
Conclusion: The Economist has not “praised” or paid “tribute” to Field Marshal Munir. While not overly critical, the 3 August 2025 write-up — titled “Pakistan’s army chief is cozying up to Donald Trump” is sceptical and critical of the head of the military. It profiles Munir and his activities this year in both a local and international context, as well as his role in the shift in American policy with respect to Islamabad, Pakistan’s politics, and foreign relations.
Background image in cover photo: TheEconomist
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