Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, May 21: In a significant military development, Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir has been promoted to the prestigious rank of Field Marshal, the highest military designation in the country. The decision was approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistani media reported on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office and cited by The Dawn, PM Sharif also briefed President Asif Ali Zardari prior to the official announcement, taking him into confidence over the elevation.
The title of Field Marshal grants Munir overarching command authority, making him the principal military advisor to both the Prime Minister and the President of Pakistan on all matters related to national security, strategic planning, and defence policy.
This marks the first time in over six decades that a Pakistani military official has been conferred this rank. The only other instance was in 1959 when former President General Ayub Khan self-promoted himself to Field Marshal during his tenure.
The elevation comes on the heels of heightened military tensions with India, following India’s launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a precision military campaign targeting nine terror launchpads across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India also reported successfully thwarting Pakistan’s attempts to retaliate with drone and missile strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders, highlighting the volatility in the region.
Although both nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 following intense confrontations along the LoC, New Delhi made it clear that while military operations would halt, diplomatic engagement with Islamabad remains off the table.
Analysts say the decision to elevate Munir may be both symbolic and strategic—signalling the Pakistan government's strong backing of its military establishment amid external pressures and internal challenges. It may also be seen as a move to consolidate military leadership during uncertain times.
With General Munir now holding the most powerful military post in Pakistan’s history since Ayub Khan, the development is expected to have wide-ranging implications for regional geopolitics and civil-military dynamics within Pakistan.