President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif awarded the baton of field marshal to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir during a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad, on May 22, 2025. The event marked a momentous recognition of General Asim Munir’s exceptional leadership, particularly during Pakistan’s military clashes with India.
The rank of field marshal, the highest in the Pakistan Army, was conferred on General Munir for his notable leadership during the successful military action, “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.” This large-scale operation effectively countered Indian aggression across the Line of Control (LoC), targeting enemy installations with precision strikes. According to military officials, Pakistan’s forces downed six Indian fighter jets and neutralized numerous threats, compelling the aggressor to agree to a ceasefire within 87 hours.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir and other service chiefs for their remarkable contributions to defending the nation’s sovereignty. “Our armed forces defended our frontiers and took the fight deep into enemy territory, teaching the aggressor a critical lesson,” he stated.
President Zardari emphasized the pivotal role of the armed forces in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity. “It is my distinct honor to confer the baton of field marshal on General Syed Asim Munir, based on his exemplary service and unwavering leadership during trying times,” said the president.
General Asim Munir’s career is marked by notable achievements. He joined the Pakistan Army through the Mangala Officers Training School program and has since held key leadership roles, including director-general positions at both Military Intelligence (MI) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He also commanded the Gujranwala Corps and assumed the role of chief of the army staff in November 2022. Intriguingly, he holds the distinction of being the only army chief to head both MI and ISI and to receive the Sword of Honour.
