Pakistan Promotes General Asim Munir to Field Marshall

On Tuesday, Pakistan’s government promoted General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshall. This marks only the second time in the nation’s history that such a title has been conferred. Munir’s advancement comes at a time of heightened military tensions with India, sparked by a terrorist attack in Pahargam that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals.

The promotion inevitably stirs memories of Muhammad Ayub Khan, Pakistan’s first and only previous Field Marshall. Unlike Munir, whose elevation was sanctioned, Ayub Khan essentially appointed himself to the title after staging a military coup.

Back on October 7, 1958, Pakistan found itself in political disarray, with governments changing frequently and public sentiment turning sour due to corruption. In a bid to restore stability, President Iskander Mirza declared martial law and appointed then-Army Chief Ayub Khan as the overseer of this martial law.

Only 20 days later, Ayub Khan would turn against Mirza.

On the evening of October 27, 1958, the two men were seen enjoying tea before cameras. They shared light banter, with Mirza even jesting that Ayub Khan needed to “learn to be an actor.” Little did Mirza realize that Ayub Khan was well-prepared for his role.

Just a few hours later, three senior generals unexpectedly arrived at the Presidential Palace in Karachi, delivering an ultimatum to Mirza: he could resign or face forceful removal.

Confronted with no real choice, Iskander Mirza acquiesced, suggesting he would resign if it served his country’s interests.

He signed the resignation under duress, clearing the path for Ayub Khan to ascend as Pakistan’s next president. This event marked the first complete military takeover in the country.

After his resignation, Mirza was taken to Quetta and subsequently exiled to London, where he lived until his death in 1969.

In 1959, shortly after his ascension, Ayub Khan bestowed upon himself the title of Field Marshall, a position typically reserved for those with significant military accomplishments. His self-appointment faced minimal resistance from the political system he had manipulated.

Over the following eleven years, Ayub Khan ruled Pakistan with an iron grip. He initiated economic reforms, infrastructure projects, and forged close ties with both the US and China during the Cold War. This period included the signing of the Treaty of Indus Waters with India and involvement in the 1965 war. However, as time went on, his popularity began to wane.

By 1969, amid rising protests and unrest, particularly from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Ayub Khan resigned, handing over power to another general, Yahya Khan, before stepping away from politics.