A promotion after defeat: What's behind Asim Munir's Field Marshal gambit
Asim Munir's grip on power may look firm, but it's anything but secure.
In a move steeped more in symbolism than substance, Pakistan's powerful army chief General
Asim Munir
has been elevated to the rarefied rank of
Field Marshal
. The announcement, made on Tuesday by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's cabinet, marks the first such promotion in over six decades.
Only one other man-military dictator Ayub Khan in 1959-has held the title.
But unlike Ayub, who awarded himself the rank amid consolidating his political power, Munir's elevation comes on the heels of a military debacle. A bruising exchange with India, following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, resulted in India striking at least nine Pakistani air bases. The damage, while officially downplayed in Pakistan, left Munir politically exposed.
So why the promotion? And why now?
Promotion or protection?
Officially, the move is being framed as a recognition of 'strategic brilliance.' PM Sharif praised Munir's 'decisive defeat of the enemy,' asserting that under his leadership, the military 'staunchly defended Pakistan's sovereignty.' Munir himself called the promotion 'an honour for the armed forces and the nation.'
But few outside Pakistan's tightly controlled media landscape are buying it.
'Field Marshal rank is usually conferred after a military victory,' Tilak Devasher, a seasoned Pakistan watcher, told the Economic Times. 'This may be the first time it has been awarded after a defeat-it seems intended to mask that defeat.'
The timing is hard to ignore. Pakistan's public is still reeling from the fallout of the India strikes, and internal dissent within the army is reportedly rising.
A widely circulated letter from a group calling itself 'The Guardians of Honour' accused Munir of corruption and military incompetence. The letter reflects what some analysts say is quiet but growing discontent within senior ranks.
A shield against scrutiny
In a country where generals often enjoy impunity, the Field Marshal title may serve more as legal and political armor than as a mark of distinction. Some analysts see the promotion as a pre-emptive move to insulate Munir from possible court martial or early retirement, the ET report said.
Legal experts point out that the Pakistani constitution makes no mention of the rank.
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Nor does the Pakistan Army Act. Instead, the promotion was reportedly made under Rule 199A of the Army Regulations (1998), which states that a general may be promoted to Field Marshal 'without regard to seniority or any specific appointment.'
In essence, the move raises Munir above the military's existing command structure-and, potentially, above accountability.
All ceremony, no strategy
Though technically ceremonial, the rank carries potent political meaning.
In Pakistan's civil-military power dynamic, optics often matter more than operational command.
'Munir is now very much in the driving seat as the pivot of the power structure,' said Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, former chair of the Senate defense committee. 'Given the weakness and divisions amongst the civilian politicians... all the mainstream political forces were convinced that the road to Islamabad lies through Rawalpindi.'
That reality is reflected in the government's simultaneous decision to extend the term of air chief marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu-his second extension. Sidhu was credited with executing Operation Bunyanun Marsoos, Pakistan's retaliatory air campaign against India's
Operation Sindoor
.
Still, in a tightly managed information environment, the military's version of events prevails. State media declared a historic victory.
Social media was flooded with hashtags like #PakistanStandsUnited. Meanwhile, dissenting voices-journalists, analysts, even former officers-vanished from screens.
The big picture: The war at home
Munir's rise comes at a fragile moment for Pakistan. The ceasefire with India has held for now. But underneath the diplomatic calm lies a volatile domestic landscape:
Security turmoil:
Over 3,700 terror incidents have claimed nearly 3,900 lives in the past 17 months, according to ISPR figures-pointing to a deteriorating internal security climate, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Political unrest:
The jailing of former PM Imran Khan and suppression of PTI supporters has fueled an undercurrent of defiance. Critics accuse Munir of leveraging the Pahalgam terror incident to consolidate power.
Economic fragility:
With rising inflation, IMF-dependency, and India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan's economy teeters on the edge. The military's growing political role is being scrutinized for exacerbating the instability.
Observers note that Munir is not merely defending national borders-he is navigating a labyrinth of domestic vulnerabilities that could unravel his authority.
His use of the two-nation theory and religious rhetoric to frame the India conflict was seen by critics as an attempt to rally the nation behind him. But the strategy may have backfired. 'Instead of unifying the nation, the gambit drew attention to Pakistan's widening fractures,' write analysts Ashok Behuria and Uttam Sinha
in a joint commentary in the TOI
.
The ghost of Imran Khan
Munir's political calculus also includes a rising challenge from behind bars: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan. His PTI party has labeled Munir a 'warmonger and coward,' accusing him of dragging Pakistan into war to consolidate power.
Khan's moral authority, paradoxically strengthened by his imprisonment, continues to mobilize his base.
Sharif's civilian government, already seen as beholden to the military, risks further erosion of legitimacy. As one viral meme put it: 'War fought by Airforce. Army Chief promoted. Army's only contribution-taking videos of tanks and hiding in bunkers.'
What's next
Munir's elevation to Field Marshal is not about military strategy-it's about political survival. It's about shoring up a fractured command structure, muffling dissent, and projecting strength in the face of growing weakness.
Though the promotion may temporarily strengthen Munir's position, it doesn't erase the challenges ahead:
Internal threats persist, from Baloch separatists to the resurgent Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
PTI's political comeback looms, with Khan's moral leverage growing even from prison.
Civil-military tension could intensify, especially if the rank is seen as an attempt to silence dissent or circumvent institutional checks.
There's also talk of Munir eventually transitioning into a political role-possibly even as president. Ayub Khan set the precedent. In Pakistan's fragile democracy, few would be surprised if history rhymed again.
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How Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif, Asim Munir are being trolled at Times Square
A truck-mounted digital billboard in New York's Times Square has become the latest flashpoint in Pakistan's deepening political crisis. The screen lambasted Pakistan's military and political leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif, while lionising jailed ex-PM Imran Khan read more A viral video showed a digital billboard at Times Square in New York City publicly criticised Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif. File Image/X A truck-mounted digital billboard in New York's Times Square has turned heads after it displayed criticism of Pakistan's top political and military leaders. The visuals — now widely circulated on social media — targeted Paksitan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, portraying them in deeply negative terms while simultaneously portraying former Prime Minister Imran Khan as a wronged leader. The display, which featured rotating digital messages, was reportedly funded by overseas supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the political party led by Khan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It included several direct and unfiltered accusations, such as calling Munir a 'Fraud Marshal,' 'liar,' 'loser,' and someone who would 'do anything for self-interest.' Zardari and Sharif were depicted as accomplices in political deception, with a label that read, 'The deceiver and his two crooks.' This act of protest, occurring in one of the world's busiest commercial districts, is being seen as an embarrassment and criticism of Pakistan's ongoing internal crisis as the role of the military in civilian affairs deepens. How Pak leaders are being called out Videos capturing the billboard's messages quickly gained traction online, especially among Khan supporters and critics of the military. One of the most prominent messages read, 'Illegally detained for 2 years,' displayed alongside an image of Imran Khan behind bars. Another line said, 'Good work makes you stand tall, not fake titles,' criticising General Munir's recent elevation to Pakistan's highest military rank. Times Square illuminated with Liar Fraud Marshal Asim Munir - The deceiver with his two crooks - Zardari and Sharif! Bezatti of Munir at International level by Pakistani diaspora themselves after being defeated in Military confrontation by India badly. 🤣🤣🤣 🤣🤣🤣 — Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 5, 2025 A separate caption taunted, 'Liar. Why don't you also take a polygraph test,' referencing past controversies where the government tried to compel Khan to undergo a lie detector test. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The campaign took aim not only at Munir but also at former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, calling him a figure motivated solely by self-interest. Social media commentary concluded that it was an example of Pakistan's internal dysfunctions spilling into international public spaces. The overall tone of the protest was one of ridicule directed at Pakistan's establishment and a call for accountability, particularly in regard to the army's role in governance and political manipulation. What the backdrop is Pahalgam terror attack & Op Sindoor In early May 2025, following a terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead, India launched Operation Sindoor — a multi-day military campaign targeting terrorist bases operated by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian Air Force strikes reportedly eliminated over 100 terrorists, including senior figures such as Abdul Rauf Azhar and relatives of Masood Azhar. The offensive, which continued until May 10, led to significant losses on the Pakistani side, ultimately prompting Islamabad to request a ceasefire. In the immediate aftermath, General Asim Munir was promoted to Field Marshal — the first such appointment in Pakistan since 1959. While Pakistan's government cited his 'strategic leadership' during the crisis as justification, critics allege the promotion was politically motivated and aimed at solidifying the military's public image following perceived failures during the conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A report from Geo News had claimed that Munir's promotion was approved for 'ensuring the security of the country' and credited him with implementing 'best strategy and courageous leadership' in repelling threats. However, detractors across media platforms and among the overseas Pakistani community questioned the legitimacy of such claims, especially in light of the high-profile casualties inflicted by the Indian operation. The Khan-Munir rift The friction between Imran Khan and Munir traces back to the latter's brief stint as head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during Khan's tenure as Prime Minister. Since Munir's appointment as Army Chief in late 2022, relations between Khan's PTI and the military establishment have sharply deteriorated. In May 2023, Khan was arrested on multiple charges — including corruption, retaining state gifts, and leaking classified documents. His camp, however, has dismissed the allegations as part of a broader campaign by the military to erase his influence. His legal troubles, coupled with successive convictions and disqualifications, have effectively barred him from contesting future elections. Following Khan's arrest, his supporters launched nationwide protests. Demonstrations erupted across Pakistan's major urban centres, with one of the most significant incidents being the attack on the Corps Commander's residence in Lahore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The state responded with an expansive crackdown, detaining thousands of PTI workers and leaders. Several members of Khan's inner circle defected or went underground to escape arrest. Despite this repression, Khan's popularity among large sections of the public has remained intact. Even from prison, his supporters view him as a victim of political engineering and military overreach. His party's affiliates reportedly secured the highest number of parliamentary seats in the 2024 general elections, but a coalition led by Shehbaz Sharif's PML-N was ultimately able to form the government — thanks, many believe, to military support. What the display at Times Square symbolises The Times Square billboard is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of a wider sentiment among Pakistanis abroad, particularly in North America and Europe. Many overseas PTI supporters see Khan as a leader who challenged the military's influence and paid the price for doing so. For them, the billboard was both a form of protest and a way to reclaim the narrative. This overseas anger comes at a time when Munir is consolidating power within Pakistan, and his government is increasing efforts to suppress dissent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Watch: While the Pakistani establishment continues to push the narrative of national unity and success in the face of foreign threats, public stunts like these highlight the persistent divisions and eroding public trust, especially among the youth and diaspora. The backlash also serves as a reminder that, despite Islamabad's official efforts to present Munir as a figure of strength and victory, for many — he remains a deeply controversial figure. With inputs from agencies
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Marching In Reverse: How Pakistan Celebrates Defeats As ‘National Holidays'
Last Updated: Unless Pakistanis demand accountability from the establishment, their nation will remain ensnared in a cycle of self-deception, mistaking every backward step for progress Pakistan has long been characterised by contradictions, and its leadership has once again veered into the realm of performative patriotism. On this occasion, however, they have gone beyond their usual reliance on rhetoric or censorship, choosing instead to officially commemorate what is widely regarded as a strategic failure in the recent military standoff with India, following the latter's Operation Sindoor, which struck militant infrastructure and military targets without reprisal. On 13 May, the Shehbaz Sharif administration announced a new national holiday, Youm-e-Markaz-e-Haq (Day of the Battle for Truth), to be observed annually on 10 May — not to mark a victory, but what officials framed as a moral success over India, despite experiencing significant military losses during the four-day conflict. The circumstances surrounding this newly instituted national 'day of valour" are far from obscure. Between 6-7 and 10 May, South Asia experienced an escalation of armed conflict between India and Pakistan. In response to the Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 Indian civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Toiba militants on 22 April, India undertook Operation Sindoor during the night of 6–7 May, aiming to demonstrate deterrence and punitive intent. The operation targeted no fewer than nine locations housing militant infrastructure and training camps across the Line of Control and within Pakistani territory. Independent analysts and satellite imagery have substantiated India's precision strikes on terror-related logistics. In retaliation, Pakistan's military launched its own Operation Bunyan Marsoos on 10 May, which included drone swarm offensives; however, all were effectively neutralised by India's Air Defence Systems, which intercepted and destroyed dozens of Turkish-made drones in large numbers. In a significant escalation, Indian armed forces targeted at least nine Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases, extending across the country from the Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot, among others. With several airbases rendered largely inoperative, Islamabad was compelled to pursue de-escalation through Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level dialogue by the evening of 10 May. However, the DG-ISPR, the media arm of Pakistan's Armed Forces, reverted to its well-established narrative strategy by asserting that a 'befitting reply" had been delivered to India's precision strikes, despite clear evidence to the contrary. Such rhetoric has become a defining feature of the military's public relations discourse. Despite professing a commitment to transparency, the Pakistani establishment—along with its civilian front—has once again avoided offering genuine openness or accountability. Instead, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif capitulated to the military establishment's every exaggerated demand, aligning himself with its mythmaking apparatus. As part of these symbolic gestures, on 13 May, PM Sharif proclaimed that 10 May would henceforth be observed annually as Youm-e-Marka-e-Haq (Day of the Battle for Truth), in a show of support for the Pakistani armed forces. Furthermore, the government extended this orchestrated display by designating 16 May as Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Gratitude), ostensibly to express thanks to divine forces for safeguarding the nation. Even more notably, General Asim Munir, the current Army Chief, was conferred the rare military rank of Field Marshal, becoming only the second Pakistan Army General to receive this title since General Ayub Khan in 1959. This elevation is symbolic rather than operational, reflecting more the military's intent to project strength than any substantive achievement on the battlefield. However, these recent developments provide insight into the broader pattern whereby the Pakistani state—especially its military establishment—routinely transforms setbacks into celebrations to uphold its legitimacy. In the process, it not only actively reshapes historical narratives in real time but also employs national holidays as instruments of diversion and morale control. The strategy itself dates back several decades. In 1965, Pakistan launched Operation Gibraltar, aiming to provoke an uprising in Jammu and Kashmir by infiltrating regular army troops. The operation, however, ended in failure, triggering the full-scale Indo-Pak War of 1965. Ultimately, Pakistan ceded more territory than it gained and was compelled to agree to a ceasefire through the Tashkent Agreement of 1966. Nevertheless, each year on 6 September, the country observes Defence Day—a solemn patriotic occasion featuring military parades and speeches glorifying Pakistan's alleged martial superiority. In 1999, Pakistani forces unlawfully crossed the Line of Control and seized strategic mountain positions in the Kargil region. The operation, carried out without civilian government approval, led to the deaths of hundreds of Pakistani soldiers as India launched a counteroffensive to retake the area. Nevertheless, General Pervez Musharraf—the architect of the Kargil debacle, appointed Army Chief by Nawaz Sharif after bypassing two senior officers only months earlier—soon assumed control through a military coup. Even today, Kargil is remembered in segments of Pakistan's national narrative not as a failure, but as a bold display of military ingenuity. What remains consistent across these episodes is the deliberate reconfiguration of national memory. Military defeats are recast as stories of resistance, while tactical blunders are reframed as moral triumphs. This extends beyond mere propaganda; it represents a sustained strategy of narrative management that shields the military from accountability and ensures the civilian government remains subordinate to the armed forces' entrenched authority. By designating 10 May as Youm-e-Markaz-e-Haq, the state is not merely revising the narrative of a military confrontation but is also proactively undermining dissent, stifling debate, and conditioning future generations to prioritise myth over reality. Educational institutions will present it as a moment of national victory, much like the portrayal of Operation Gibraltar. Any critiques highlighting strategic failures or the true economic, diplomatic, and military costs are likely to be marginalised or suppressed. The utility of these contrived holidays is multifaceted. Firstly, they offer a cathartic release for a population grappling with economic hardship, political turmoil, and international isolation. In a nation beset by soaring inflation, a depreciating rupee, and frequent IMF bailouts, mythologised nationalism provides an inexpensive form of escapism that discourages critical inquiry. Secondly, such observances function as tests of loyalty. By requiring public participation in the commemoration of fabricated victories, the state fosters an environment where patriotism becomes performative and dissent is deemed perilous. Thirdly, and arguably most cynically, these holidays reinforce the military's hold over national identity. While in most democracies national holidays commemorate independence, revolution, civil rights, or peace, Pakistan's calendar is increasingly dominated by observances that glorify the military's role as protector and guardian, despite historical evidence to the contrary. These occasions are not simply commemorations but tools of militarised nationalism, deliberately crafted to obscure inconvenient realities. While every nation possesses its own symbols and moments of unity can be vital, when these symbols are founded on falsehoods and unity rests upon denial, the outcome is not strength but stagnation. Consequently, the Pakistani establishment is offering its population triumphalism and a continuous stream of delusion rather than the truthful account to which they are entitled. top videos View all Moving forward, although Youm-e-Markaz-e-Haq will likely be observed with parades, speeches, and patriotic songs, behind the flags and slogans lies the reality of a state regressing—where defeats are recast as triumphs, and history is rewritten not by scholars but by military leaders. Unless Pakistanis demand accountability from the establishment, their nation will remain ensnared in a cycle of self-deception, mistaking every backward step for progress. The writer is an author and a columnist. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : Asim Munir Operation Sindoor pakistan Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 06, 2025, 16:37 IST News opinion Global Watch | Marching In Reverse: How Pakistan Celebrates Defeats As 'National Holidays'
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Impossible To Ignore China In Confrontation With Pak: Shashi Tharoor
Washington: China is an 'absolutely impossible factor to ignore' in India's latest confrontation with Pakistan, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said, emphasising that a thaw in relations between Delhi and Beijing over the past few months was 'seemingly making good progress' before the conflict. Mr Tharoor, who is leading a multi-party parliamentary to the US, said, 'I'm not going to mince my words, but we are aware that China has immense stakes in Pakistan." His remarks came during an interaction with representatives of think tanks organised at the Indian Embassy here on Thursday. The largest single project under the Belt and Road Initiative is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Mr Tharoor said, adding that 81 per cent of Pakistani defence equipment is from China. 'Defence may be the wrong word here. Offense in many ways,' he said. "China is an absolutely impossible factor to ignore in what has been our confrontation with Pakistan,' Mr Tharoor said. He noted that despite the tensions between China and India since the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, "we had actually begun a thaw with China in September of last year, which was seemingly making good progress before this tragedy occurred.' Mr Tharoor added that 'then we saw a very different China' in terms of its practical support for Pakistan, even on the Security Council. 'We have no illusions about what the challenges are in our neighbourhood, but I want to remind you all that India has consistently chosen a path of keeping open channels of communication, even with our adversaries," he said. "We have tried as much as possible to focus on development, on growth, on trade. Our trade with China is still at record levels. It's not that we are adopting a posture of hostility, but we would be naive' not to be aware of these other currents around, he said. Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, the UN Security Council had on April 25 issued a press statement on the 'terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir' in which the members had condemned it in "the strongest terms'. 'The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice,' the press statement had said. However, the press statement did not mention The Resistance Front as the group responsible for the attack after Pakistan managed to get the name removed with the support of China. In October last year, India and China firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok, the last two friction points in eastern Ladakh. Days after the agreement was finalised, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Kazan, Russia, and took a number of decisions to improve ties. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in November last year in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and the two met again in February this year in Johannesburg. During a conversation at the Council on Foreign Relations earlier in the day, Mr Tharoor was asked about the Chinese military equipment that Pakistan used in the conflict against India and if there is a reassessment over this. 'Frankly, the reassessment took place while the fighting was going on,' Mr Tharoor said. He added that when India saw what the Pakistanis were attempting to do using Chinese technology, for instance, the 'kill chain' that the Chinese specialise in, where the radar, GPS, planes and missiles are all linked together and they react instantly, 'we simply did things in a different way. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to hit' 11 Pakistani airfields and 'we wouldn't have been able to breach the Chinese-supplied air defences. 'So it's clear that assessments were taking place while the fighting was happening, and we were recalibrating our strategies in order to end as effectively as we were able to end,' Mr Tharoor said. 'The fact is China has immense stakes in Pakistan, the largest single project on the Belt and Road Initiative is the one in Pakistan - the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor. So we have no illusions about the degree of commitment that China may well be feeling towards Pakistan.'
