Former Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry said that there is “no two opinions” that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is effectively the de facto leader of the country. Speaking to ANI, he claimed that real power lies with the military leadership and not with the civilian government. He also pointed out that US President Donald Trump referred to Munir as Pakistan’s leader, without mentioning Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Chaudhry made these remarks in the backdrop of Pakistan hosting US and Iran delegations in Islamabad for talks. He further said the regional conflict is impacting Pakistan’s economy, with rising energy prices and pressure on foreign reserves affecting the country’s middle class.