Gen Asim Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal is lifetime appointment: Faisal Vawda

Senator Faisal Vawda claimed that General Munir’s new rank would allow him to oversee appointments, extensions, and promotions across all three branches of the armed forces.

The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal in recognition of his leadership during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

The decision marks a rare development in Pakistan’s military history, with General Mohammad Ayub Khan being the only other officer to have held the title, conferred in 1959. The rank of field marshal is the highest attainable in the Pakistan Army and does not have a fixed tenure. 

Read more: Army Chief Gen Asim Munir named Field Marshal after Operation Bunyanum Marsoos

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the cabinet also unanimously decided to retain Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu in service following the end of his current term.

“The rank of field marshal is not a conventional position, and there is no fixed term for holding it,” Vawda stated.

He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him a “smart prime minister and capable administrator,” and advised him to “open channels for dialogue to move the country forward".

However, he added that, at present, he does not see the possibility of the PTI founder’s release.