Following a recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal—the highest military title in the country’s history. The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday (May 20) by Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, according to Reuters.
Earlier this month, tensions between the two countries escalated dramatically with missile and drone attacks, cross-border shelling, and gunfire. Pakistan later claimed victory in the conflict. Within days of the clash, Asim Munir was elevated to Field Marshal.
According to Pakistan’s state media outlet PTV, the promotion decision was made by the cabinet under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. Officials cited Munir’s “exceptional leadership and strategic role” during the conflict as the primary reason for his historic promotion.
Although a ceasefire is currently in place, tensions along the India-Pakistan border remain high. In a strong statement, Munir warned, “Pakistan desires peace, but will not hesitate to respond if its sovereignty and dignity are threatened.”
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Defence stated that ‘Operation Sindoor,’ launched during the conflict, is still ongoing, and hinted at the possibility of further strikes inside Pakistan if deemed necessary.
General Asim Munir took charge as Pakistan’s 11th Army Chief in November 2022, succeeding former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. In a rare move, Munir’s three-year tenure was extended to five years in November 2024—an unusual decision in the country’s military history.
Before becoming Army Chief, Munir served as the head of Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agency, the ISI. He held that role during the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel and severely strained India-Pakistan relations. His intelligence leadership during that period is still considered significant.
