Islamabad, Pakistan – General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has been elevated to the prestigious rank of Field Marshal, becoming only the second individual in the nation’s history to achieve this five-star military distinction. The federal cabinet approved the promotion on May 20, 2025, with the ceremonial “baton of Field Marshal” conferred jointly by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on May 22, 2025.
This rare elevation comes in the direct aftermath of the recent four-day military conflict with India, which Pakistan referred to as “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos” and India as “Operation Sindoor.” The government explicitly cited General Munir’s “exemplary and exceptional leadership, courage, and bravery” in ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and defending against perceived Indian aggression during this period as the primary reason for his promotion.
A Rank of Unprecedented Distinction
The rank of Field Marshal is the highest and only five-star rank in the Pakistan Army, symbolizing extraordinary military leadership and national service. The sole other recipient of this honor was Muhammad Ayub Khan, who elevated himself to the position in October 1959, after becoming President through a military coup. General Munir’s promotion is therefore a landmark event, placing him in an exclusive tier of military leadership.
Unlike the conventional ranks with fixed operational commands and terms, Field Marshal is largely an honorary, lifelong position. While it does not grant additional constitutional powers or a higher pay grade, it signifies unparalleled prestige and recognition for lifetime achievement. Notably, General Munir is the first person in Pakistan’s history to hold both the office of Chief of Army Staff and the rank of Field Marshal concurrently, as Ayub Khan abandoned the COAS office upon his own promotion.
A Career Defined by Leadership
General Asim Munir, commissioned into the Frontier Force Regiment, has a distinguished career marked by key leadership roles. Prior to his appointment as COAS in November 2022, he served as Director General of Military Intelligence (MI) and later as Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). His swift rise and subsequent extension of tenure as Army Chief in November 2024 (from three to five years) were seen as moves to ensure continuity in Pakistan’s military leadership.
Strategic and Political Implications
The timing of General Munir’s elevation, immediately following the May 2025 conflict, carries significant strategic and political weight:
- Reinforcing National Narrative: The government’s decision to promote General Munir publicly reinforces Pakistan’s narrative of successfully defending its territory and achieving a victory during the recent hostilities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the military leadership “led our brave armed forces to a remarkable victory against an enemy, caught in its own web of arrogance and hubris.”
- Bolstering Military’s Stature: The promotion is widely interpreted as a move to further solidify the military’s dominant role within Pakistan’s power structure. Analysts, including those cited by Frontline – The Hindu, suggest it signals a long-term commitment to the current military leadership and its strategic vision, particularly in navigating internal political challenges and external security dynamics.
Upon receiving the honor, Field Marshal Munir expressed profound gratitude, dedicating the distinction not just to himself but to the “entire nation, the armed forces of Pakistan, especially the civil and military martyrs and veterans.” The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted him stating that this honor is a “trust of the nation, for which millions of Asims are ready for sacrifice”
The elevation of General Asim Munir to Field Marshal undeniably marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s military and political landscape, underscoring the enduring influence of its armed forces and the government’s recognition of a leader deemed crucial for national security in a volatile region.
