New Delhi: Pakistan’s most powerful person just became invincible, and people are rallying behind him. Pakistanis, who until a few months ago were anti-Army and pro-Imran Khan, now have a newfound love for General Asim Munir and the establishment that rules over the civilians with an iron hand.
Munir has now been promoted to a Field Marshal— the highest military rank. He is the only person in the history of Pakistan to be a Field Marshal while in service and the second to hold that position after Pakistani dictator Ayub Khan, who self-appointed himself in 1968.
Pakistan’s most powerful
“It should be a stain on our nation’s honour that we have found no way to grant Asim Munir a rank higher than Field Marshal. How unfortunate that we have so little to offer the most important, interesting, and handsome man in the world,” a Pakistani X user, Hassan Javid, wrote.
Abbas Nasir, former editor of Dawn, was quick to respond to Javid’s complaint and added that of Pakistan’s many, many inadequacies, this is the “most painful failure”.
Others were just wishing for a real-life comeback like Munir.
“I want to make a comeback in life like Asim Munir. Guy was disgraced by his boss and boss’ rubber stamp, only to turn the tables around on them and soar past them. This is the kind of stuff we used to read in history books (e.g., the return of Humayun after facing defeat),” an X user wrote.
There are critics too. And they are embarrassed.
“At least Pakistan is consistent. It gave us just a few days to be proud before it had us embarrassed again,” commentator Sabah Bano Malik wrote on X.
In a YouTube video, independent journalist Wajahat S. Khan detailed the reasons behind such a move, but not before calling Munir ‘the most powerful person in the history of Pakistani military’.
He called it a hybrid 2.0 version of the military in Pakistan, where there is no clear, transparent criteria for such a selection, there is no committee to debate it, and no debate in parliament.
“The political motivation behind it is to settle Munir for at least the next 7 years or more comfortably while he ensures absolute control over the military and keeps them united,” Khan added.
Meanwhile, there were memes and concerns, too.
“Field marshal over a 2 day conflict??? dost ka pait kharab tha tou maine kaha flagyl kha le aaj se mai bhi gastroenterologist hoon (My friend had an upset stomach, so I told him to take Flagyl—guess that makes me a gastroenterologist now too),” an X user sarcastically noted.
Another X user named Roy compared his ascension to a Dhamaal meme with Asim Munir giving himself titles: Hafiz Syed Asim Munir to Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim Munir.
According to reports, Imran Khan has sent a dispatch from jail. In a video doing the rounds on social media, Khan’s sister Aleema Khanum seems to be delivering his message— “Why Field Marshal, Asim Munir should have simply labelled himself king of the jungle.”
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Solidifying Munir’s authority
The promotion, approved unanimously by Pakistan’s federal cabinet Tuesday, was framed as a recognition of Munir’s “exemplary courage and determination” as he led the army “and coordinated the war strategy and efforts of the armed forces in a comprehensive manner”.
The decision was formally announced by the Prime Minister’s Office after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“The Government of Pakistan has approved the promotion of General Syed Asim Munir (Nishan-i-Imtiaz Military) to the rank of field marshal for ensuring the security of the country and defeating the enemy based on the high strategy and courageous leadership during Marka-i-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement according to Dawn.
The announcement comes amid renewed tensions post Operation Sindoor, in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. The Operation followed three days of armed hostilities across the LoC before a ceasefire was brokered on 10 May.
A ceremonial but symbolically powerful rank modeled on British military tradition, the rank of Field Marshal carries considerable political and institutional weight in Pakistan, where the military remains the most powerful institution. Munir’s promotion is expected to further solidify his influence in a country where civilian authority has often been subordinate to military command.