COAS Gen Asim Munir promoted to field marshal rank

The federal cabinet on Tuesday promoted Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal.

According to reports, a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif approved Gen Munir’s promotion to the rank of field marshal for ensuring the country’s security and defeating the enemy with the success of Operation Bunyan Um Marsoos.

After his promotion, Gen Munir has become the country’s second field marshal – only after former president and military ruler Ayub Khan (1907–1974).

The federal cabinet’s decision comes two weeks after Pakistan gave a befitting response to India’s cross-border aggression, inflicting heavy losses to military infrastructure in retaliatory strikes. The operation was carried out under the leadership of Gen Munir, who has since been lauded by both the government and the public for his strategy, skills and courageous leadership.

The strikes, described by officials as “precise and proportionate” continued till the clashes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States (US).

Addressing troops following the ceasefire, PM Shehbaz declared the success of the operation a historic moment, saying the armed forces had avenged the 1971 war by giving a decisive and powerful response to Indian aggression.

“History will eternally record, how within a few hours, Pakistan’s defenders extinguished India’s unprovoked aggression with unmatched precision and resolve,” he said while addressing soldiers deployed at the frontline areas in Pasrur Cantonment near Sialkot.

The premier, who was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, was received at the Cantonment by COAS Gen Munir and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

Addressing the personnel, PM Shehbaz said the valiant armed forces of Pakistan, fortified by the unwavering resolve of the nation, had defended the motherland in a heroic manner and dealt a decisive blow to the adversary’s dastardly aggression.

He said books would be written on Pakistan’s recent military success, calling it a testament to the bravery and professionalism of the armed forces. He went on to commend the military leadership, especially Gen Munir, a video of which has also gone viral.