Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah is currently serving as the 11th Chief of the Army Staff of the Pakistan Army since 2022. On 20 May 2025, Asim Munir was promoted to Field Marshal, becoming the second to reach the rank in Pakistan's history after Ayub Khan and only person to serve office of the Chief of Army Staff with Field Marshal rank.
Syed Asim Munir is from the 17th course of the Officers Training School (OTS) in Mangla. He was commissioned in the 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment. He started his military career on 25 April 1986. He received the Sword of Honour for his performance as a cadet in the Officers Training School (OTS), Mangla.
Syed Asim Munir is the first recipient of Sword of Honour from Officers Training School (OTS) who has risen to the position of army chief in the military history of Pakistan, and the second over all after Asif Nawaz Janjua. Additionally, he is the only army chief in the history of Pakistan who has earlier served as chief of both premier military intelligence agencies of Pakistan, namely, Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence.
Later, Asim Munir graduated from the Fuji school Japan, the Command and Staff College, Quetta, the Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur and the National Defence University, Islamabad, where he earned his MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management.
As a lieutenant colonel, Asim Munir served in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the close defence cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. While he was a brigadier, he served as the chief of staff of Pakistan's I Strike Corps Mangla, and commanded an infantry brigade in the Northern Areas. He was promoted to the rank of Major general in 2014 and served as the commander of the troops deployed in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
Asim Munir also served as the director-general of Military Intelligence in 2016. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in September 2018 and was subsequently appointed as DG ISI.
Subsequently, Asim Munir was appointed as corps commander of XXX Corps in Gujranwala in 2019 to October 2021. From 2021 to November 2022, Lt-General Munir was posted at GHQ as the Quartermaster General of Pakistan Army. In November 2022, Lieutenant General Munir was promoted to the four-star general rank and appointed as the Chief of the Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. In November 2024, Asim Munir's tenure as Army Chief was extended from three to five years.
On 20 May 2025, Asim Munir was promoted to Field Marshal, becoming the second to reach the rank in Pakistan's history after Ayub Khan and only person to serve office of the Chief of Army Staff with Field Marshal rank.
Significantly, Asim Munir's promotion as Field Marshal makes him as first and only person to serve office of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) with the rank of Field Marshal (five-star General), instead of (four-star General) in the history of Pakistan. Ayub Khan, who was Pakistan's first Field Marshal abandoned the office of the Chief of the Army Staff just after his promotion as Field Marshal on 27 October 1958. However, Asim Munir continues to occupy office of the COAS as (five-star General), making him the only person with such distinction.
Syed Asim Munir is deemed as a conservative figure regarding religion. Asim Munir's family are locally known as a hafiz family, as its many members are known to have memorized the entire Quran by heart, including Munir, who did so during his posting in Saudi Arabia as a Lieutenant-Colonel. He is the first army chief in Pakistan's history to have memorized the entire Qur'an.
Born in Rawalpindi in 1968, Asim Munir is known for his interest in physical fitness and athletics, and is regarded as an enthusiastic runner. He is also considered an avid reader and enjoys traveling. He has stressed the need for combating against Islamic extremism, providing a safe nation for Pakistan's religious minorities.
Awards and Decorations Held by Field Marshal Asim Munir;
Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) 2022 - Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) 2018 - Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) – Siachen Glacier Clasp - Tamgha-e-Azm (Medal of Conviction) 2018 - Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan (Escalation with India Medal) 2002 - Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998 - Service Medals (10 Years, 20 Years, 30 Years, and 35 Years) - Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997 - Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990 - Jamhuriat Tamgha (Democracy Medal) 1988 and Command & Staff College Quetta (Instructors Medal). He is recipient of the Hilal-i-Jur'at, Pakistan's second highest gallantry award.
