Federal cabinet approves promotion of COAS, Defence Ministry issues notification PM Shehbaz takes President Zardari into confidence n President, PM, Services Chiefs congratulate COAS on promotion Cabinet also unanimously decided to extend services of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu Field Marshal Asim Munir dedicates honour to nation, Armed Forces.
ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal for ensuring defence of the country and defeating the enemy through his courageous leadership and exceptional strategy during Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.
The cabinet which met in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, took the decision on the proposal of the prime minister.
The prime minister also met President Asif Ali Zardari and took him into confidence regarding the decision.
The cabinet also unanimously decided to extend the services of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu after his term in office ends.
The federal cabinet also decided that officers and soldiers of Pakistan Armed Forces, ghazis, martyrs, and civilians from different fields will be awarded high government awards in recognition of their valuable services during Operation Banyanum Marsoos.
The federal cabinet paid tribute to Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir for his exemplary leadership in defeating the enemy and defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The cabinet applauded the Armed Forces of Pakistan for serving a crushing blow to the enemy’s despicable attempt to violate the territorial integrity of the country. The prime minister congratulated the entire Pakistani nation on the remarkable success of Operation Banyanum Marsoos during the Marka-e-Haq.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday took President Asif Ali Zardari into confidence regarding the decision to promote General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal during a high level meeting here at the President House.
Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, and Planning Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal were also present at the meeting, a press statement issued by the President House said. President Zardari said that under the leadership of General Syed Asim Munir, the Armed Forces successfully defended the country.
The president further said that General Asim Munir deserved promotion to the rank of Field Marshal for giving a strong response to Indian aggression, successfully defending the country, and demonstrating excellent military strategy.
During the meeting, the leadership of the armed forces and the Pakistan military was hailed for their effective response to Indian attacks.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, expressing deep gratitude to Allah Almighty for being promoted to the rank, on Tuesday dedicated the honor to the people of Pakistan and Armed Forces.
“This honor is not mine alone; it belongs to the entire nation and the Pakistan Armed Forces — especially our civil and military martyrs, and our veterans,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Federal Cabinet for their trust, calling the rank a “national trust”. He said “millions of Asim Munirs stand ready to uphold it.”
“This is not just an individual recognition but a tribute to the entire nation and its Armed Forces,” he said, and extended his sincere thanks to the people of Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and services chiefs extended their congratulations to General Syed Asim Munir on his promotion to the rank of Field Marshal.
In their separate statements, President and Prime Minister praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for delivering a decisive response to the enemy and thwarting its nefarious designs.
The president said the entire nation appreciates Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s dedicated service in ensuring national security, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, and combating terrorism.
He also congratulated Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu on the extension of his tenure, acknowledging that Pakistan delivered a crushing response to the enemy through the Air Chief’s successful war strategy.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his statement, emphasised that the Army Chief demonstrated outstanding leadership and professional expertise during Marka-e- Haq, particularly in Operation Bunynum Marsoos, effectively neutralizing the enemy’s malicious intentions.
Shehbaz Sharif also acknowledged the unwavering dedication of all military personnel, from the Army Chief to every soldier, who courageously defended the nation’s borders against enemy aggression during the Marka-e- Haq.
Meanwhile, in a post on social media platform X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his exemplary leadership during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos crushed enemy’s nefarious designs and brought great honor to Motherland. The PM said that under his command, our valiant armed forces staunchly defended Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with unity, courage and the highest standards of military professionalism. Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan salutes Field Marshal Asim Munir as well as our brave countrymen, soldiers, martyrs, and their families. ‘Pakistan Hamesha Zindabad.’
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) extended his heartiest congratulations and felicitations to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on his well-deserved promotion to the prestigious rank of Field Marshal.
The CJCSC lauded the COAS’ exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and distinguished services to the nation especially during the recent successfully executed operations Marka e Haq and Bunyanum Marsoos.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Defence officially issued a notification promoting Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Defence (Defence Division), this promotion has been made under Rule 199-A of the Pakistan Army Regulations (Rules), 1998. The notification, bearing No. 4/18/D-2(A-II)/2022, was signed by Muhammad Naeem Munsif, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Pakistan. It states that the promotion has been carried out in exercise of the powers conferred by the aforementioned rule.
The notification has been circulated to key government and military offices including the President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Division, JSHQ, GHQ, NHQ, and AHQ.
