Overview

• General Asim Munir has been promoted to Field Marshal, becoming only the second in Pakistan’s history to hold this rank, after Ayub Khan in 1959.
• The promotion is widely seen as a symbolic move to mask Pakistan's military setbacks, particularly following India’s decisive Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
• Munir’s tenure has been marked by anti-India rhetoric, cross-border provocations, and the use of religiously charged narratives to bolster his authority.
• Critics argue the elevation reflects the military's grip on Pakistan’s political landscape, with Shehbaz Sharif’s government portrayed as subservient to Munir’s influence.
• India’s firm military and diplomatic response has exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s strategy, raising concerns about escalating regional tensions under Munir’s leadership.