In a decision that has raised eyebrows across the subcontinent, Pakistan has promoted its current Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal — the highest military title in the country. The announcement came just days after Indian precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, during which reports suggested General Munir took shelter in a fortified bunker for hours amid fears of escalation.
Cabinet-Backed Promotion Amid Public Outrage
The promotion was confirmed by a statement from the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office. The decision was reportedly taken during a high-level cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Government officials claim Asim Munir is being rewarded for his “exemplary leadership” during the India-Pakistan standoff earlier this month.
However, critics have pointed out the irony: the same General who went missing from public view, allegedly hiding in a bunker during Indian strikes on PAF bases, is now being elevated to a title historically associated with supreme command and battlefield success.
The Ghost of Ayub Khan
Pakistan has only ever had one Field Marshal before: General Ayub Khan, who used his military clout to stage a coup in 1958, ruling the country as a dictator until 1969. The comparison is unsettling for many political observers who believe that Asim Munir’s elevation signals not strength, but further entrenchment of military dominance in Pakistan’s civilian affairs.
While Field Marshal is technically a ceremonial rank, it carries tremendous political weight and historical baggage in Pakistan. It also places the bearer above the chain of military command, making court-martial or inquiry virtually impossible.
A Shield of Immunity
Unlike a serving Chief of Army Staff, a Field Marshal is no longer held to the same standards of accountability. Analysts suggest that the title effectively provides legal and political insulation, especially if Pakistan’s internal situation worsens or military setbacks continue.
This promotion follows the significant losses incurred during India’s Operation Sindoor, including the destruction of key Pakistani Air Force assets, terrorist infrastructure, and advanced surveillance platforms like the AWACS at Bholari.
Operation Sindoor: A Background Blow
India’s strategic strike on May 7 took out nine terrorist camps and later escalated to Pakistani military installations following Pakistan’s missile retaliation. These included precision strikes on 11 airbases and intelligence sites, severely disrupting Pakistan’s air defence capability.
Reports indicate that during this escalation, General Asim Munir was unreachable for several hours, with opposition leaders claiming he had “vanished into a nuclear bunker.” The Pakistan Army neither confirmed nor denied these reports.
Despite the chaos, the Pakistani cabinet saw fit to reward Munir, triggering criticism that the country’s leadership celebrates retreat as resistance.
A Symbol of Decline
This promotion, wrapped in ceremony but hollow in credibility, speaks volumes of Pakistan’s current trajectory. In contrast to India’s demonstration of military assertiveness and political clarity, Pakistan appears to be rewarding withdrawal, protecting its generals, and cementing military control over national narrative.