Field Marshal Without a War: The Curious Rise of Asim Munir in Pakistan
In an unprecedented and controversial move, General Asim Munir of Pakistan has declared himself as the country’s second Field Marshal—an honor that many believe he neither earned nor deserved. This title, traditionally reserved for military legends who have displayed unparalleled leadership during pivotal wars, now appears to be part of a growing narrative designed to consolidate power in the hands of a single military man.
What Is a Field Marshal?
A Field Marshal is a five-star general, the highest rank possible in a nation’s army. The rank is symbolic of legendary leadership and major victories in war. In India, for example, only two men have ever been awarded this title:
- Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
- Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, who played a vital role in defending Kashmir in 1947.
In Pakistan’s history, only one other person has held this title—General Muhammad Ayub Khan, who later became a military dictator and led Pakistan to defeat in the 1965 war with India.
Asim Munir, by contrast, has not won any war, nor led a campaign of historical military significance. In fact, during India’s recent retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor, several Pakistani airbases were reportedly destroyed, and Pakistan suffered major setbacks—events captured in satellite images and real-time footage. Despite these losses, Munir has awarded himself the most prestigious title in the military.
Propaganda Over Performance
The timing of Munir’s self-promotion is telling. While international media, especially in the U.S., avoids covering the magnitude of Pakistan’s losses against India, local propaganda machines in Pakistan are busy spinning tales of heroism. Even Chinese and pro-China journalists have started amplifying unverifiable claims about India’s fighter jets being shot down—despite no credible evidence backing those stories.
Meanwhile, when other countries like Indonesia were warned by Chinese media about the supposed “failure” of the French-made Rafale jets (used by India), Indonesian defense officials clarified that these were unverified claims and could not be used to assess any weapon system’s actual effectiveness.
China and Pakistan: A Cooling Relationship?
Interestingly, even China seems to be distancing itself from Pakistan’s recent military narrative. When Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister visited China recently, he was not welcomed with the usual red-carpet treatment. No senior Chinese officials came to receive him. It was a stark contrast to earlier visits and signals a growing frustration in Beijing over Pakistan’s exaggerated claims and internal instability.
Asim Munir’s Bigger Game?
Many analysts believe that Asim Munir’s self-declaration as Field Marshal is not about military honor, but about absolute political control. With posters and state-sponsored propaganda portraying him as a national savior, the groundwork appears to be laid for a potential military coup. Like Ayub Khan before him, Munir may be preparing to push out civilian leadership—perhaps even exiling Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif—and take full control of the country.
The title of Field Marshal, in this case, is not a reflection of valor but a step toward dictatorship.
Conclusion
In democratic countries, such a move would have sparked outrage. In Pakistan, however, the military remains the most powerful institution—often operating above accountability. By declaring himself Field Marshal, Asim Munir has not only undermined the value of military honors but also raised serious concerns about the future of democracy in Pakistan.