Cabinet approves promotion in recognition of Gen Munir\u2019s exceptional leadership during \u201cBunyan-um-Marsoos\u201d
\n ISLAMABAD
\nThe federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to field marshal for his leadership in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and the period of conflict against India known as Marka-i-Haq.
\nThe military confrontation between India and Pakistan came as tensions over last month\u2019s Pahalgam attack continued to build up. On the night of May 6-7, New Delhi launched a series of air strikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir, resulting in civilian casualties. Islamabad responded by downing five Indian jets.
\nAfter intercepting drones sent by India and tit-for-tat strikes on each other\u2019s airbases, it took American intervention on May 10, when tensions between the two countries peaked, for both sides to finally drop their guns as a ceasefire was reached. India has since continued its aggressive posturing even as Pakistan has warned against any further military aggression and offered talks. Officials from both countries confirmed that the ceasefire does not have an expiry date, putting to rest the speculations that the truce would lapse this weekend unless renewed.
\nThe rank of field marshal is the highest rank of armies built on the patron of the British Army. General Mohammad Ayub Khan was conferred the rank by the presidential cabinet.
\n\u201cThe 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,\u201d the Prime Minister\u2019s Office (PMO) said in a statement after a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
\nRetelling the events of the military conflict with India, the statement further said that COAS Munir led the army \u201cwith exemplary courage and determination and coordinated the war strategy and efforts of the armed forces in a comprehensive manner\u201d.
\n\u201cIn recognition of his outstanding military leadership, courage, and bravery, ensuring Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and courageous defence against the enemy, the cabinet approved the prime minister\u2019s proposal to promote General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal.\u201d
\nThe PMO also said that the government unanimously decided to continue the services of Air Chief Marshal Zahar Ahmed Babar Sidhu after his term ends.
\nIt was also decided that officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, war veterans, martyrs and citizens belonging to various sectors would be awarded high government awards in recognition of their valuable services during the operation, the statement added.
\nThe statement added that PM Shehbaz met President Asif Ali Zardari and took him into confidence regarding this decision.
\n\u201cUnder General Syed Asim Munir\u2019s leadership, the armed forces have successfully defended the homeland,\u201d Zardari was quoted as saying in a statement from the presidency.
\nHe said the army chief deserved the promotion for effectively countering Indian aggression, successfully defending the homeland and employing excellent military strategy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cabinet approves promotion in recognition of Gen Munir\u2019s exceptional leadership during \u201cBunyan-um-Marsoos\u201d ISLAMABAD The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to field marshal for his leadership in Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and the period of conflict against India known as Marka-i-Haq. The military confrontation between India […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":479735,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-479711","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n