How Is a Field Marshal Different from a General?
News Desk
Islamabad: In a historic move, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir has been awarded the honorary rank of Field Marshal, making him only the second person in Pakistan’s history to receive this prestigious five-star military title.
The first was former President Mohammad Ayub Khan, who was conferred the rank in 1959.
The rank of Field Marshal is the highest honorary position in the Pakistan Army, signifying extraordinary military leadership and strategic excellence. While it does not grant any constitutional authority or operational command, the title is a recognition of Gen Munir’s significant contributions to national defense.
The announcement comes in the wake of Pakistan’s large-scale military response, Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos. This retaliatory action targeted multiple Indian military sites across several regions in response to ongoing Indian aggression along the Line of Control (LoC) and within Pakistani territory—aggressions New Delhi claimed were against “terrorist targets.”
Pakistan’s military successfully downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and destroyed dozens of drones during the conflict. After intense fighting lasting 87 hours, the war ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/in-landmark-move-asim-munir-becomes-pakistans-field-marshal/
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian strikes resulted in the martyrdom of 53 Pakistani individuals, including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians.
A Distinguished Military Career
Gen Munir’s military journey began at the Mangla Officers Training School before commissioning into the Frontier Force Regiment. He served as brigadier commanding the Northern Areas Force and later held key intelligence roles, including director-general of Military Intelligence (MI) in 2017 and director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in 2018.
He also served as Corps Commander Gujranwala and Quarter Master at General Headquarters (GHQ) before being appointed COAS in November 2022. Gen Munir is notable for being the only army chief to have led both MI and ISI and the first to receive the Sword of Honour.
His promotion to Field Marshal honors his exemplary leadership, especially during the recent military confrontation with India, underscoring his pivotal role in safeguarding Pakistan’s national security.
