ISLAMABAD: The rank of Field Marshal is the highest in the Pakistan Army, above the rank of General, and is held by a five-star senior-most Army officer. This rank is awarded in recognition of strategic excellence, wartime leadership, and national service of the highest order.
Although rarely conferred, the rank holds significant military and historical weight, both nationally and internationally.
On May 20, 2025, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by the federal government in recognition of his exceptional leadership during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, Pakistan’s large-scale military response to recent Indian aggression.
The rank, the highest in the Pakistan Army and equivalent to a five-star designation (NATO code OF-10), is a rare honour awarded only under extraordinary circumstances.
The decision was formally approved during a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, following Pakistan’s successful response to India’s airstrikes.
Recognition of strategic leadership
In a statement issued after the cabinet meeting, the government said the rank of Field Marshal was awarded to General Asim Munir for “ensuring the security of the country and defeating the enemy based on high strategy and courageous leadership.”
The operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos was launched in response to India’s unprovoked military actions and ended with a ceasefire brokered by the United States on 10 May 2025.
During the conflict, Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and intercepted multiple drones.
The strikes were described by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) as “precise and proportionate,” targeting Indian military installations across several regions.
In total, 53 Pakistanis, including 13 armed forces personnel and 40 civilians, were martyred in Indian strikes.
The government has also announced plans to honour officers, soldiers, and civilians who contributed to the operation.
What is the Field Marshal rank?
Field Marshal is a five-star military designation, above the rank of a four-star General. In NATO terms, it aligns with the code OF-10 and has equivalents in other services, such as Fleet Admiral in the Navy and Marshal of the Air Force in the Air Force.
This rank is not part of the routine promotion system within Pakistan’s military structure. It is conferred only by the federal government—specifically with the joint approval of the Prime Minister, President, and Federal Cabinet—to recognise exceptional service during wartime or in moments of extraordinary national importance. The position is honorary and does not grant any additional constitutional or administrative authority.
Historical background in Pakistan
Pakistan has awarded the rank of Field Marshal only twice in its history.
The first instance was in 1959, when General Muhammad Ayub Khan assumed the title after becoming President.
The second, and latest, instance is that of General Syed Asim Munir, whose elevation was formally approved by the federal cabinet on May 20, 2025. General Munir’s promotion has been widely recognised as a result of decisive wartime leadership and strategic success.
International comparisons
Globally, the Field Marshal rank—or its equivalent—has varied uses depending on national traditions and military structures.
In Britain, the rank is honorary and often awarded for exceptional wartime service, as seen in the case of Bernard Montgomery during World War II. It is traditionally held for life and carries ceremonial significance.
India has appointed only two Field Marshals in its history—Sam Manekshaw in 1973, and K. M. Cariappa in 1986 as a mark of honour. Both were peacetime titles acknowledging distinguished careers.
Similar ranks have existed elsewhere: Marshal of the Soviet Union and now Marshal of the Russian Federation in Russia; Generalfeldmarschall in Germany during the World Wars; and General of the Army in the United States, held by figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower. Most of these titles are rarely used today and often conferred only in extraordinary circumstances.
National significance
In Pakistan, the Field Marshal title carries strong symbolic resonance. While it does not entail operational command, it serves as a marker of trust, honour, and military excellence.
The government has stressed that the title awarded to General Munir is a tribute to the entire armed forces and a recognition of the sacrifices made by both soldiers and civilians during recent hostilities with India.
