Islamabad: In a historic ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially conferred the Baton of Field Marshal upon Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir. This promotion marks Munir as the second Field Marshal in Pakistan’s history, a rare and prestigious military rank awarded for exceptional leadership and strategic brilliance.
President @AAliZardari and Prime Minister @CMShehbaz conferring the batton of the Field Marshal upon the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI(M), during a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr pic.twitter.com/6AlBY5qkKB
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) May 22, 2025
A Moment of National Pride
The elevation of General Munir to the rank of Field Marshal was announced following the successful execution of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, Pakistan’s large-scale military response to unprovoked aggression from India. The operation, launched in early May, showcased the unity, resilience, and strength of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Addressing the ceremony, President Asif Ali Zardari stated,
“The entire nation is proud of all of you.” He praised the armed forces for defending the country’s sovereignty and said,
“I, as president of Pakistan, hereby promote General Syed Asim Munir to the full rank of field marshal and confer the baton of field marshal as supreme commander of the armed forces.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute, calling the occasion
“a moment of profound national pride and historic importance for Pakistan.” He saluted the leadership of Munir and the top military commanders, saying,
“You have led our brave armed forces to a remarkable victory against an enemy, caught in its own web of arrogance and hubris.”
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos: Defending Pakistan’s Integrity
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos was a swift and decisive military campaign launched in response to India’s unprovoked and illegal aggression targeting civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC). The Pakistani armed forces coordinated across the Army, Air Force, and Navy to deliver precise and proportionate counterstrikes on multiple Indian military targets.
During the conflict, Pakistan’s forces successfully downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and neutralized dozens of enemy drones. The war lasted nearly 87 hours and concluded with a ceasefire brokered by the United States on May 10, 2025.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the aggression resulted in the loss of 53 lives on Pakistan’s side, including 13 military personnel and 40 civilians.
The Significance of the Field Marshal Rank
The rank of Field Marshal is Pakistan’s highest military honor, symbolizing exceptional service and leadership during critical national moments. Equivalent to a five-star rank (NATO OF-10), it surpasses the four-star General rank and corresponds with Fleet Admiral in the Navy and Marshal of the Air Force.
This rank is awarded only through a joint decision involving the Prime Minister, President, and federal cabinet and is reserved for extraordinary wartime achievements or contributions to national security. General Syed Asim Munir is only the second officer to receive this distinction in Pakistan’s history, the first being General Muhammad Ayub Khan.
Profile: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir
General Munir’s military career spans nearly four decades, beginning with his commissioning from the Officers Training School in Mangla in 1986. Throughout his service, he has held key leadership roles, including commanding the Northern Areas Force, serving as Director-General of Military Intelligence (MI) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and leading the Corps Gujranwala.
He is notably the first Pakistani army chief to have headed both MI and ISI, and the only one to be awarded the Sword of Honour. Appointed as Chief of Army Staff in November 2022, his promotion to Field Marshal on May 20, 2025, reflects his exemplary leadership and strategic acumen during the recent military conflict.
Ceremony Attendees and National Unity
The investiture ceremony was attended by senior political leaders including Pakistan Muslim League-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, federal ministers, provincial chief ministers, governors, senior military officials, and diplomats.
The event underscored a unified message of national cohesion, political leadership, and institutional strength in Pakistan’s defense establishment.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s promotion and Pakistan’s victory in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos stand as defining moments for the nation’s military history, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to sovereignty and security in the face of aggression.