Major General Ranjan Mahajan (Retd)
Field Marshal is the highest possible rank in the Indian and Pakistan Armies. The rank of Field Marshal is an Honorary and Ceremonial military rank, typically awarded to a top-ranking general for extraordinary service. It is the highest possible rank in many armies. However, it is extremely rare and is not part of the regular promotion structure. The status is of the “Five-star General”, but not a functional role (no active command after promotion). But he enjoys the privileges of Lifetime salary and benefits and full military honors.
In Pakistan, the President, being the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has the authority to confer the Rank of Field Marshal – typically based on either “Exceptional military service during war or national crisis” or “Extraordinary leadership as the Chief of Army Staff or equivalent” or Political or national significance, often tied with military achievements or Personal decision (in historical contexts, such as Ayub Khan, who promoted himself while in power).
Whereas in our context, the rank of Field Marshal has been given to: Wartime Commanders who led the country to major victories ; Symbolic appointments during peacetime to honor a distinguished career which is rarely more than once or twice in a century. India has had two Field Marshals in its history, both honored for their extraordinary military leadership and contributions to major national victories. Both our Field Marshals are incomparable.
The first is Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw who was the Commander of Indian forces in the 1971 Indo-Pak War and led to decisive Indian victory and creation of Bangladesh. He was promoted on 1 January 1973. He indeed was famous for professional military acumen and of course for his charisma and sharp wit.
Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa was the second one to be promoted long after retirement in 1986. He indeed was the first Indian to become Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949 and had a distinguished service during World War II. He laid the foundation of a professional and apolitical Indian Army post-Independence. He was honored posthumously for lifelong contribution. India has also had one Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh who was elevated to the rank in 2002.
In Pakistan’s Case only Ayub Khan was promoted to Field Marshal in 1965, reportedly after the Indo-Pak war of the same year. He was the Army Chief (military dictator) from 1951-1958 & became President via military coup in 1958. His promotion was largely ceremonial and self-declared himself as the Field Marshal in 1965, likely as a political move during/after the Indo-Pak war. No other officer has held this title in Pakistan since. He served as Pakistan’s President from 1958 to 1969. He oversaw rapid industrial growth but faced criticism for authoritarianism and growing inequality.
The announcement made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet followed by the ceremony of elevation of Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief General Asim Munir to the rarefied rank of Field Marshal is indeed the most shocking and disgraceful event in the history of Pakistan. And that too after a clear military debacle with India striking at least nine Pakistani Air Bases preceded by destruction of Terror infrastructure in the heartland of Pakistan which was given as a befitting response to Pakistan military sponsored gruesome Pahalgam terror attack and loss of innocent lives.
India has definitely had phenomenal success over Pakistan wherein destroyed 9 Terror camps with 140 terrorists killed, hit 11 Pakistani Air Bases destroying 4 radars, 2 AD Command posts resulting in Command paralysis of Pak Army & complete air superiority established by the Indian Air Force. However some national and international Defence experts have expressed opinion about strikes on some locations in Kirana hills, which might have resulted in cavingin/shutting of the entrances of Nuclear storage facilities in Kirana hills. Radiation cookoff and some radiation leak may have also happened.
If the data from the open sources is to be believed, Pakistan has lost one each Saab2000(AEW&C), IL- 78 refueler, C-130 transport & HQ-9 SAM battery etc. In total 13 aircrafts destroyed and some 50 PAF personnel killed. Total estimated cost of Equipment, Aircrafts and Infrastructure is likely to be over 5 billion $. These are inferred from Briefings, Satellite imagery, Videos and comments from renowned air/defence experts.
Internal dissent within the Pak Army is reportedly rising including discontentment within the senior ranks as well. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, for instance, sarcastically remarked that Munir might as well have taken the title of “king,” reflecting concerns over the growing influence of the military in Pakistan’s political landscape.
It is crossing the minds of every Indian, and am sure also every responsible Pakistan citizen as to why and how has he been awarded after a defeat – Is it intended to mask that defeat. Officially PM Sharif praised Munir’s “decisive defeat of the enemy,” asserting that under his leadership, the military “staunchly defended Pakistan’s sovereignty.” President Zardari praised Munir’s military career as being “forged with courage and refined by wisdom”, highlighting his leadership during recent conflicts.
Pakistan has never won any war with India. After every defeat, there has never been any accountability of the Pak Army top brass. This time they have gone worse. Forget accountability, they have promoted a Failed Chief to a Field Marshal ? Rewarding incompetence! Reinforcing a failure.
I sometimes really feel pity for the entire mockery of Pakistan’s political setup and forced supremacy of the Pakistan’s military Generals & specially the Mulla General Asim Munir! Guess what would have been his actual citation otherwise for upliftment.
“For his unwavering commitment to strategic silence, impeccable command over internal briefings, and his valiant efforts in defending the motherland from the greatest enemy of all – press conferences. Under his supreme visionary leadership, confusion has reached new operational heights, morale remains consistently at the bottom… under observation, and clarity is now classified. Despite having played with lives of innocent Indian civilians by planning and executing the Pahalgam massacre followed by a 3 days war resulting in unexpected escalations, punitive Indian Air Strikes, he managed to plead successfully and get Indian Military for an early ceasefire. In recognition of his tireless devotion to controlled ambiguity and PowerPoint patriotism, we hereby elevate General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal – Commander-in-Chief of Optics and National Narratives.”
It indeed is not a promotion but a self protection shield created by none other than Mulla General Asim Munir himself against scrutiny, to continue enjoying impunity, as the Field Marshal title may serve more as legal and political armor than as a mark of distinction. He being solely responsible for creating this irreversible shamefulness to the entire Pakistan & Pak Army was at the verge of getting pushed for early retirement followed by court martial. With this move not only he has insulated himself but consolidated his power within the military establishment underscoring the complex interplay between military and political dynamics in Pakistan.
But Why & how ? By hook or crook, or by force, or by foreign support. The Pak Army will remain in Power. If the Army power goes in Pakistan, the can of worms will open. Skeletons of corruption by Pak Army will tumble out of their cupboards. Foreign secret agreements may also come out in the open domain. Pakistan’s changed civil-military dynamics has far-reaching implications for its domestic politics, regional posture, and democratic institutions. Asim Munir retains his position as Army Chief, an unusual combination that grants him both ceremonial prestige and operational command.
There is definitely a surge in public support for the military. The military’s increasing influence raises questions about the future of Pakistan’s democratic processes and civilian oversight. While Munir with his extended service is scheduled to retire in Nov 2027 as the Army Chief but as a Field Marshal he will never retire. Does that mean that “Is he headed the Ayub khan way of becoming President of Pakistan?” And like Gen Yahaya Khan will he preside over the further breakup of Pakistan into 5 splinters? There are fractures from within and divisions playing out in Pakistan with internal turmoil leading to its security, stability and unity in complete shambles. Pakistan is facing a crisis of legitimacy abroad. Fault lines within Pakistan and the three hotbeds of growing dissonance are Balochistan (largest but least developed and greatly exploited province with demands for independence now over a decade – troubles for Pak on peak), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (dominated by Imran Khan’s party) and Sindh (maximum number of conversions of minority). Growing dissent within the Pak Army which is predominated by Punjabis is a reality.
So, as far as India is concerned it will be appropriate if we say that the snake has emerged in our front yard and this reality is for the next decade or so. We need to handle it, tame it and also make sure that they do not multiply.
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