The government of Pakistan on Tuesday promoted Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal.

He is the second field marshal in the country after Ayub Khan, who was promoted to the rank in 1959.

Field marshal is the most senior military rank, senior to the general officer ranks. It is considered as a five-star rank in modern-day armed forces in many countries.

The federal cabinet approved the key decision at its meeting on Tuesday in Islamabad. The president has also endorsed the decision after the prime minister met him, reported Tariq Chaudhry of Aaj News.

“The 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 of the Battle of Truth, Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement after the cabinet meeting.

The statement said COAS Munir led the operation “with exemplary courage and determination and coordinated the war strategy and efforts of the armed forces in a comprehensive manner”.

“Thanks to the unparalleled leadership of the Army Chief, Pakistan achieved a historic victory in the war of justice.

“In recognition of his outstanding military leadership, courage, and bravery, ensuring Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and courageous defence against the enemy, the cabinet approved the prime minister’s proposal to promote General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal.”

Additionally, the federal government has also extended the tenure of Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu.

The government has also decided to bestow honours on people who played a key role in Pakistan’s Operation Banyanun Marsoos against India.