Lieutenant-General Asim Munir was appointed as Pakistan's army chief on Thursday. The army is a highly influential institution in the country's nuclear-armed government.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who will step down later this month after serving a six-year term, will be succeeded by Munir, who also served as the head of both of Pakistan's powerful spy agencies, according to the defense ministry.

His appointment comes amid a conflict between the military and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who accuses the military of aiding in his overthrow earlier this year and has since been in charge of anti-government demonstrations. "It is based on merit, law and as per constitution," Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told reporters after announcing Munir's appointment.

Munir's appointment might have an impact on Pakistan's precarious democracy, its ties with its neighbors, India and Afghanistan, as well as its shift toward China or the United States. The army has always played a significant role in both domestic and international politics.

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Munir was quartermaster general - in charge of supplies for the entire army - and served in an area disputed with India that borders China.

Khan is the most recent in a long line of civilian leaders who accused the military of ousting him from office after he was injured in a gun attack earlier this month while participating in anti-government demonstrations. The longest-serving Prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who held office for a total of nine years during three different terms, is one of them.

The army has rejected any involvement in Khan's ouster, but analysts expect Munir to continue the military's efforts to keep Khan, a vocal critic, out of power.

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