Following recent military tensions with India, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, has been promoted to the prestigious rank of Field Marshal — the highest military rank in the country. He becomes only the second person in Pakistan’s history to receive this title.
According to The Indian Express, the Pakistani government officially announced the promotion, placing General Munir alongside the country’s first Field Marshal, Mohammad Ayub Khan. Ayub Khan assumed the title in 1959 after seizing power through a military coup in 1958 and declaring himself president.
Globally, the rank of Field Marshal is regarded as a symbol of exceptional military leadership, usually awarded during or after times of war. Countries following the British military tradition — such as the UK, India, and Australia — consider it a five-star ceremonial rank reserved for extraordinary service.
India has awarded the rank to only two individuals: Sam Manekshaw in 1973 for his leadership during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, and K.M. Cariappa in 1986 in recognition of his lifelong service to the Indian Army. In the U.S., the equivalent rank is “General of the Army,” although the title “Field Marshal” is not used.
In Pakistan, the title of Field Marshal is conferred by the federal government, typically based on a joint decision involving the prime minister, president, and the federal cabinet. It is granted in recognition of exceptional military achievement, often during times of national crisis or war.
General Asim Munir’s elevation to this rank is not only a military honor but also a symbolic national gesture, reflecting trust in his leadership and his contributions to the country’s security and sovereignty.
