RAWALPINDI: Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday warned India of a more severe response if it resorts to any aggression against Pakistan.
The remarks came during a guard of honour ceremony at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, held to mark his appointment as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Contingents from the Pakistan Army, Navy, and Air Force presented the guard of honour. The ceremony was attended by Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and senior officers from all three services.
The Ministry of Defence issued the official notification for Munir’s appointment as CDF on Friday, following President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The CDF — promoted to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year — will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff for five years.
His elevation made him Pakistan’s second Field Marshal and the first in over six decades, following the country’s decisive victory over India in the May war. The establishment of the CDF post follows the president’s assent to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy (Amendment) Bills 2025. Under the amended provisions, Article 243 governing the powers of a Field Marshal applies to any General promoted to this rank.
Read More: Punjab CTD Arrests 12 Suspected RAW Agents, Seizes Arms Cache
Profile of Field Marshal Munir
Munir was commissioned into the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986 and passed out with the 17th Officers Training Course at Mangla. He has held key positions including directing staff at Command and Staff College, Quetta; brigade major of a deployed infantry brigade in Kel; GSO-2 at CGS Secretariat; chief of staff of Mangla Corps; and Quartermaster General at GHQ.
He commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, an infantry brigade, and served as Force Commander in the Northern Areas, Gilgit. His intelligence appointments include Director General Military Intelligence (MI) and head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was posted as Corps Commander Gujranwala before becoming Quartermaster General, his last role prior to leading the army.
Munir is a graduate of Fuji School, Japan; Command and Staff College, Quetta; Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur; and National Defence University, Islamabad, where he also earned an MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management. He is the first army chief to be awarded the Sword of Honour.
