'Well-Deserved': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Congratulates Asim Munir For Promotion As Field Marshal

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Asim Munir for his promotion as field marshal and called it "Well-deserved." On microblogging website X he said, "On behalf of the entire nation, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M) on his well-deserved promotion to the rank of Field Marshal."

"His exemplary leadership during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos crushed enemy’s nefarious designs and brought great honor to our Motherland," he added.

He further said, "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."

The federal government in Pakistan on Tuesday promoted Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal, the highest military rank in the country. The rank is extremely rare—last awarded in 1959 to General Ayub Khan. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Before being appointed to Pakistan army’s top post, Munir led the Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) when tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pulwama attack in February 2019 that resulted in the death of 40 CRPF jawans.