Rare promotion: Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir elevated to the rank of Field Marshal

He is the second army chief to be promoted to this rank after General Ayub Khan in 1959

Last updated: May 20, 2025 | 17:40

Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal becoming only the second person to become five-star general in the history of Pakistan.

AFP--

Dubai: In a historic move, Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal, the highest military designation in the Pakistan Army.

He was awarded with this honour for his decisive leadership during recent national security challenges.

This marks a rare conferment of the prestigious title, previously held by Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan in 1959, and reflects the government’s acknowledgment of Gen Munir’s leadership as a unifying and commanding force in the military.

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General Munir’s elevation follows his key role in leading the Pakistan Army during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and the recent military conflict with India, which had unfolded amid rising tensions after last month’s Pahalgam attack. The conflict lasted from May 6 to May 10 before a ceasefire was declared.

Why Field Marshal

According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the decision was made in recognition of Gen Munir’s “outstanding military leadership, strategic acumen, and unwavering courage” in defending Pakistan’s sovereignty. The promotion was endorsed unanimously during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“General Munir ensured the security of the country and led the armed forces with exemplary determination, coordinating national defence operations comprehensively during a critical time,” the PMO stated.

Air Force Chief

In addition to Gen Munir’s promotion, the cabinet also decided to extend the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, underscoring confidence in the current military leadership.

Gratitude

Gen Munir expressed deep gratitude in a statement. “I thank Allah. This is not a personal achievement but an honour for the armed forces and the nation, the martyrs, veterans, and every Pakistani who stands for the nation’s defence,” he said in statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).