Federal Cabinet Approves Promotion of COAS General Asim Munir to Field Marshal

Islamabad, May 20,2025 – The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal in recognition of his exceptional leadership during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and the recent conflict with India, referred to as Marka-i-Haq.

The Ministry of Defence issued an official notification confirming the promotion with immediate effect under Rule 199-A of the Pakistan Army Regulations (Rules), 1998.

The rank of field marshal is the highest military honor in armies modeled after the British system. Prior to General Munir, only one officer—General Mohammad Ayub Khan—had been conferred this title in 1959 by the presidential cabinet.

In a statement released after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated, “The government of Pakistan has approved the promotion of General Syed Asim Munir (Nishan-i-Imtiaz Military) to the rank of field marshal for ensuring national security and defeating the enemy through strategic vision and courageous leadership during Marka-i-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.”

Additionally, the cabinet unanimously decided to extend the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu beyond his current term.

The move underscores the government’s acknowledgment of the military’s role in safeguarding the nation amid heightened regional tensions.