The Government of Pakistan has officially promoted General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, to the prestigious rank of Field Marshal in recognition of his exceptional military leadership during Operation Banyan Marsus a decisive campaign in what has been termed the Battle of Haq or War of Truth.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the Federal Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following Pakistan’s successful defense against an unprovoked attack launched by India on the night of May 6–7, 2025. The cabinet unanimously endorsed the Prime Minister’s proposal to elevate General Munir, commending his strategic acumen, coordination of the armed forces, and steadfast leadership that led to Pakistan’s victory.
“Thanks to the unparalleled leadership of General Asim Munir, Pakistan achieved a historic victory,” said a statement issued after the cabinet session.
This makes General Asim Munir only the second Pakistani in history to attain the rank of Field Marshal, after General Ayub Khan. The Field Marshal rank is symbolic of the highest military authority and is typically held in extraordinary circumstances, as it is a five-star general rank—one above the four-star rank of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
During the same meeting, the federal cabinet also extended the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, acknowledging his contributions to the success of the military campaign.
The government announced that officers, soldiers, civilian contributors, and martyrs from various sectors would be honored with national awards in recognition of their service during the operation.
In a statement following the announcement, Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed his gratitude:
“This is not an individual honor, but a tribute to the armed forces, the martyrs, ghazis, and the resilient nation of Pakistan. I dedicate this honor to the people of Pakistan.”
The military conflict, sparked by Indian airstrikes following accusations against Pakistan for an incident in Pahalgam, escalated rapidly. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Banyan Marsus, which reportedly repelled the aggression and restored regional stability. A ceasefire was announced on May 10 by US President Donald Trump, marking the end of active hostilities.
This significant development reaffirms Pakistan’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while highlighting the nation’s unified civil-military leadership during a period of grave threat.
