Pak Army Chief Munir Promoted Field Marshal for Wartime Leadership

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir was promoted to the rare and prestigious rank of Field Marshal in May 2025, recognizing his strategic brilliance and leadership during the military operation Marka-e-Haq, which responded to Indian aggression following the Pahalgam terror attack. The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and endorsed by President Asif Ali Zardari, unanimously approved this promotion, highlighting General Munir’s role in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and uniting the armed forces under his command. The Field Marshal rank, Pakistan’s highest military honor equivalent to a five-star rank, is not part of routine promotions but awarded only for extraordinary wartime achievements; historically, only two individuals have held this rank. The decision followed intense military escalations between India and Pakistan, including Pakistani drone attacks and Indian missile strikes, with both sides engaging in a cycle of retaliation. While the promotion was widely praised within Pakistan as a deserved honor for a national hero, some external sources criticized General Munir’s role, connecting his inflammatory speech to the terror attack in Pahalgam and highlighting the ensuing military conflict and misinformation campaigns. The rank of Field Marshal symbolizes exceptional service and leadership during critical moments, serving as a national accolade beyond typical military command roles.