Field marshal (Pakistan)

Field marshal (FM)^[a] is the highest rank in the Pakistan Army awarded by the government of Pakistan to officers of the Pakistan Army in recognition of distinguished service. Although it is a current and authorized rank with a pay grade of "Apex Scale,"^[1] it has been conferred only twice in history—on Ayub Khan in 1959^[b] and Asim Munir in 2025. It is an honorary rank and comes with no additional powers and pay grade. It is equivalent to admiral of the fleet in the Pakistan Navy and marshal of the air force in the Pakistan Air Force, and while it is an ordinarily senior rank in Pakistan army, it can be refer as five-star general "standard rank scale" to distinguish it from other military insignias.^[3]

Field marshal فیلڈ مارشل
The insignia of a field marshal as worn on epaulettes
Country	Pakistan
Service branch	Pakistan Army
Abbreviation	FM
Next lower rank	General
Equivalent ranks	Admiral of the fleet Marshal of the air force

History

Since gaining independence in 1947, Pakistan has awarded the rank of Field Marshal only twice — first to Ayub Khan.^[4]

The second instance occurred in May 2025, when Asim Munir, the Chief of the Army Staff, was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal for his contributions in the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.^[5]

Appointment

The appointment of field marshal is made through an appeal submitted for review request by the Prime Minister of Pakistan in a joint effort with the President and Defence Ministry to the Supreme Court or high court for constitutional orders under certain rules and regulations, although the president exercises the power of the commander-in-chief and prime minister leads the National Assembly.^[6][7][8]

List of appointees

No.	Portrait	Name (born–died)	Date of appointment	Notes	Ref.
1		Muhammad Ayub Khan (1907–1974)	October 1959	President of Pakistan (1958–1969)	[9]
2		Asim Munir (born 1968)	20 May 2025	Chief of the Army Staff (2022–present)	[5]

Notes

1. Urdu: فیلڈ مارشل
2. Ayub retired from active service in 1958; however, he was made field marshal in 1959. See "Special report: The Changing of the Guard 1958–1969", Dawn, 2 September 2017:

   Dawn October 27, 1959 (News Report) President Ayub made Field Marshal General Mohammad Ayub Khan was conferred the rank of Field Marshal by the presidential cabinet. The communique said that the conferment of this rank will serve to demonstrate to the world in a humble way the high esteem in which he is held by his people and how grateful the nation is to its saviour. The rank of Field Marshal is the highest rank of armies built on the patron of the British Army. The press communique added that by a peaceful revolution last year the President had not only defended the territorial integrity of Pakistan but had also saved the very existence of the nation.^[2]