By Asghar Ali Mubarak
In a ceremony of immense symbolism and national pride, Pakistan conferred its highest military distinction—the Baton of Field Marshal—on Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir. The event, held at the Presidential Palace, was more than just a formality; it was a moment carefully choreographed to signal unity, strength, and unwavering commitment to sovereignty at a time of heightened regional volatility. It brought together not just state officials but a sense of national purpose, as leaders across political divides stood behind the man now enshrined in the highest rank the military can bestow. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif awarded the baton in the presence of senior civilian and military leadership, foreign dignitaries, and a nation watching closely.
It was not simply the elevation of a general; it was a declaration of Pakistan’s intent to remain steadfast in the face of persistent threats. That the title of Field Marshal—used sparingly and reserved for extraordinary service—was given to General Munir speaks volumes about the trust placed in his leadership, especially following the critical moments of Operation Bunyan Marsos and the continuing Marka-e-Haq. President Zardari captured the mood succinctly. “Pakistan desires peace, but this wish must never be mistaken for weakness,” he said. These words were not chosen lightly. They underscore the broader context of the honor—a response to a regional security environment growing ever more complex and hostile.
With terror attacks orchestrated from across the border, particularly the recent India-sponsored assault in Khuzdar that took the lives of innocent children, the government and military establishment appear united in their resolve to counter what they have labelled as a campaign of covert destabilization. Prime Minister Sharif went further in his remarks, crediting Field Marshal Munir for crushing the enemy’s arrogance and for safeguarding national security during periods of escalating regional hostilities. His words—”a new chapter in military excellence”—were as much a tribute as a warning: Pakistan will not tolerate encroachments, be they military, ideological, or digital. The reference to Operation Bunyan Marsos was pointed; a campaign that has become synonymous with strategic clarity and operational effectiveness, often cited as a textbook example of modern warfare adapted to asymmetric threats.
The ceremony came in the wake of the 270th Corps Commanders’ Conference—a crucial gathering of the Army’s senior-most leadership. Their condemnation of the Khuzdar attack was unequivocal. In their assessment, India’s shift from conventional failure, most recently exemplified by the fallout from the Pahalgam incident, to supporting terror proxies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reflects a broader agenda: to sow discord and erode Pakistan’s internal stability. But the forum did not limit its focus to the battlefield alone. It addressed the hybrid nature of modern conflict, where misinformation, propaganda, and digital manipulation now operate alongside physical violence. In this domain, the military acknowledged the importance of the Pakistani media, civil society, and especially its youth. By reinforcing the national narrative and resisting disinformation, these groups serve as a first line of defence in an increasingly blurred theatre of war.
The message from the commanders was clear: no threat—whether by bullet or bandwidth—will succeed in shaking Pakistan’s foundation. The blood of martyrs from the ongoing Marka-e-Haq was honored, and their sacrifices pledged to a cause far greater than any political or tactical victory. Sovereignty, they reminded us, is not a negotiation; it is a duty, shared between those in uniform and those in everyday civilian life. What emerged from the day’s events was a narrative of national resilience. As Field Marshal Munir stood flanked by the country’s top leadership, his elevation symbolized more than personal achievement. It embodied an era where military professionalism, strategic restraint, and civil-military harmony define Pakistan’s posture on the world stage. It was a message not just to friends and foes abroad but also to citizens at home: that the country will stand firm, guided by principle and prepared by design.
For many, the ceremony may have evoked memories of past military leaders and their legacies—some inspiring, others controversial. Yet there is a new tone emerging under Field Marshal Munir, one that leans heavily on operational discipline, internal accountability, and regional clarity. It is a vision that seeks not only to defend Pakistan’s borders but to shape the nation’s identity in an age of hybrid confrontation. At a time when regional adversaries seek to exploit vulnerabilities through acts of terror and cyber distortion, Pakistan’s response has been one of moral clarity and institutional readiness. The conferment of the Field Marshal title thus served not only as an accolade but also as an affirmation: Pakistan’s sovereignty is not up for compromise. It cannot be shaken by coercion, nor broken by betrayal. In the figure of Field Marshal Munir, the state has invested its confidence—and with that comes the expectation of vigilance, justice, and continued restraint. These are qualities not of conquest but of character. And in an age that increasingly rewards the reckless that alone is worth honoring.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
