ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The rank of Field Marshal, rarely awarded, is the five-star military rank and the highest in the Pakistan Army, sitting above the rank of four-star General. It is the highest rank of armies built on the patron of the British Army.
The rank of Field Marshal is bestowed upon military officials for outstanding and top-tier military leadership. It is equivalent to Fleet Admiral in the Pakistan Navy and Marshal in the Pakistan Air Force.
Read More: COAS General Asim Munir promoted to rank of Field Marshal
It comes with no additional powers or pay grade, but an honorary rank, and there’s no specific term length for a Field Marshal rank; it’s a lifelong position.
Since independence, Pakistan has awarded the honorary rank of field marshal only once, to General Muhammad Ayub Khan in 1959. General Ayub was conferred the rank by the presidential cabinet.
However, the rank has been awarded to COAS General Asim Munir in recognition of his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen during the recent Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) said in a statement.
The federal cabinet on Tuesday decided to elevate the rank of General Asim Munir and to extend the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu upon the completion of his current term.
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Following the cabinet decision, the premier met with President Asif Ali Zardari to brief him on the development and gain his confidence on the matter, the PMO Office statement added.
‘I dedicate this honor to entire nation’
In a statement after elevation to Field Marshal, the army chief dedicated this honor to “the entire nation, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, and especially to the civil and military martyrs and veterans.”
“I am grateful to Allah Almighty for receiving the honor of Field Marshal,” Field Marshal Asim Munir said in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
He stated that the honour was the trust of the nation, for which millions of Asims have sacrificed themselves, and expressed “gratitude to the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet for the trust”.
“This is not an individual honor but an honor for the Armed Forces of Pakistan and the entire nation,” Field Marshal added.
