General Asim Munir Becomes Pakistan’s First Field Marshal Since Ayub Khan
Nearly six decades after the last appointment, Pakistan has promoted its current Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, to the prestigious rank of Field Marshal — making him only the second individual in the country’s history to receive this highest military title, following the late military ruler Field Marshal Ayub Khan.
According to a report from Reuters on Tuesday (May 20), the decision was approved by the federal cabinet led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office.
A government statement highlighted General Munir’s “strategic leadership and bravery” during operations Marka-e-Haq and Buniyaad-e-Numm-Marsoush, crediting him with playing a decisive role in ensuring national security and defeating enemy threats.
The rank of Field Marshal, the highest in the Pakistan Army, is modeled after the British military system. Before Munir, it was conferred only once on General Muhammad Ayub Khan in 1959.
Upon receiving the honor, General Munir stated, “This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a mark of pride for the entire nation and Pakistan’s armed forces.”
General Munir assumed command as the Army Chief in November 2022. Traditionally, the term for a Pakistani army chief is three years, but in 2023, the Parliament extended his tenure to five years through legal amendments.
Before becoming the top military commander, Munir was the head of Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He held the position during a particularly volatile period in 2019, when a deadly attack in India’s Pulwama district killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, leading to escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. His role during that crisis was considered pivotal.
Though full-scale hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been avoided since, the tension has not entirely dissipated. Commenting on regional security, the Pakistani Army Chief warned, “Pakistan desires peace, but we will not hesitate to retaliate if our national dignity is challenged.”
