The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the promotion of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to field marshal.

The rank of field marshal is the highest rank of armies built on the patron of the British Army. General Mohammad Ayub Khan was conferred the rank by the presidential cabinet.

“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 further said that COAS Munir led the army “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.”

The statement added that PM Shehbaz met President Asif Ali Zardari and took him into confidence regarding this decision.

Accepting the honour, COAS Munir said he was grateful to God for receiving the position, dedicating it to the “entire nation, the armed forces of Pakistan, especially the civil and military martyrs and veterans”.

“I am grateful to the president of Pakistan, the prime minister and the cabinet for their trust,” he said in a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), adding that the honour was the trust of the nation, for which “millions of Asims have sacrificed themselves”.

“This is not an individual honour but an honour for the armed forces of Pakistan and the entire nation,” he said.