What is Field Marshal and why Gen Asim Munir was promoted?

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal — the first time in nearly 60 years that a general has been elevated to this position, a titular but highest rank in the Pakistan Armed Forces.

For those wondering how many Field Marshals Pakistan has had, General Asim Munir has become the second field marshal in the country’s history after Gen Ayub Khan, who conferred the title upon himself after leading the armed forces from 1958 to 1967.

Gen Asim Munir’s promotion, approved by the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, comes just days after Pakistan witnessed its most serious military conflict with India in nearly three decades.

A security official said field marshal was a ceremonial five-star rank that usually signifies extraordinary leadership and wartime achievement.

It came “in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

Gen Munir is the first Pakistani four-star general to be awarded the rank of field marshal by an elected government.

The government “recognised Gen Munir’s services in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and during the conflict with India known as Marka-i-Haq.” Tensions between the two archrivals escalated after last month’s Pahalgam attack, resulting in Indian air strikes on the night of May 6 and 7 in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In November 2024, Pakistan’s parliament passed legislation extending the tenure of armed forces chiefs from three to five years. Both houses — the Senate and National Assembly — passed the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2024, amending the Pakistan Army Act, 1952; the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2024, amending the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961; and the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2024, amending the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953.

Field marshal is the most senior military rank that can be awarded to an individual and is widely regarded as a five-star rank in modern armed forces.

Research conducted by the HUM Investigation Team revealed that Gen Asim Munir has attained this prestigious title, generally reserved for the highest level of military achievement. The rank is largely honorary and is considered a symbol of respect and recognition for extraordinary service. The government recognised Gen Munir’s “outstanding military achievements, particularly in operations against India.”

Like Pakistan, several other countries — including Afghanistan, Austria, Hungary, Prussia, Germany, India, and Sri Lanka — have awarded this rank to military leaders for exceptional accomplishments.

Historical Field Marshals

George Marshall

George Marshall was promoted during the Second World War. On December 14, 1944, the United States created the “General of the Army” rank, equivalent to field marshal in other countries.

Field Marshal Georgy Zhukov was honored with numerous titles and medals and multiple times over. He received the title “Hero of the Soviet Union” four times, two ‘Orders of Victory’, six ‘Orders of Lenin’, three ‘Orders of the Red Banner’, two ‘Orders of Suvorov of the 1st class’ and the Honorary weapon with a golden image of the State Emblem of the USSR. He also received 15 medals of the USSR and 17 orders and medals of foreign states.

Ayub Khan

Following the 1965 Pak-India war, General Ayub Khan elevated himself to the rank of field marshal. He simultaneously served as Army Chief and President of Pakistan, though he had officially retired from active service in 1958.

Prince Philip

Prince Philip of Great Britain was appointed field marshal after his service in the Second World War. He held the rank until the war ended and he returned home to marry Queen Elizabeth in 1947.

Philippe Pétain

Philippe Pétain was made Marshal of France for his distinguished leadership in the First World War. Although France did not formally have a “field marshal” rank at the time, the French Parliament later voted to create the equivalent designation.

Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Manstein

Manstein rose through Germany’s military ranks during the Second World War, playing a key role in the 1940 invasion of France and the Soviet Union offensive beginning in June 1941. He was later promoted to field marshal in recognition of his contributions.

Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel

Erwin Rommel gained fame in the North African theatre during World War II. He had also served in the First World War and commanded the 7th Panzer Division during the invasion of France. His battlefield successes earned him the rank of field marshal.

Bernard Montgomery

Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery served in both World Wars. He led Allied forces in North Africa against Rommel, and commanded British and Canadian troops during the invasions of Italy and Normandy in the Second World War, gaining international acclaim for his leadership.