Pakistan’s early years were marked by political chaos and institutional fragility. The fledgling democracy, struggling to stabilize after the Partition of India in 1947, was riddled with weak civilian governments, frequent changes in leadership, and an overpowering bureaucracy. Between 1947 and 1958, the country saw seven prime ministers, none completing their full term, as parliamentary coalitions fractured and governance faltered.
Iskander Mirza’s Miscalculated Invitation to Ayub Khan to Seize Power
By 1958, President Iskander Mirza grew frustrated with the collapsing democratic experiment. Believing he could control the army chief, he invited General Ayub Khan to impose martial law, abolishing the 1956 constitution. This political gamble backfired spectacularly when Ayub swiftly assumed the presidency himself, marking Pakistan’s first military takeover.
The Symbolism Behind Ayub Khan’s Self-Promotion to Field Marshal
Shortly after taking power in 1959, Ayub Khan promoted himself to Field Marshal — a move that was both a powerful political statement and a strategic assertion of supremacy over both civilian and military institutions. This unprecedented rank solidified his position at the apex of Pakistan’s power structure.
Ayub Khan’s Decade-Long Military Regime and Its Lasting Impact
From 1958 to 1969, Ayub ruled Pakistan under a tightly controlled, military-backed presidential system. His regime curtailed press freedom and centralized authority, establishing a model of military dominance that would echo through Pakistan’s political landscape for decades.
Pakistan’s Military Legacy: Civilian Governments Undermined and the Rise of Authoritarianism
The Ayub era set a precedent where military intervention became a recurring feature of Pakistan’s governance. Civilian institutions remained weak, and elected governments often found themselves sidelined or overthrown by the army, institutionalizing military influence as a dominant political force.
Fast Forward to 2025: The Revival of the Field Marshal Title with General Asim Munir
After more than half a century, Pakistan has a new Field Marshal — General Asim Munir. His promotion, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet in May 2025, marks the first time since Ayub Khan that the title has been awarded. This symbolic elevation comes amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions following recent military confrontations.
The Context Behind Munir’s Promotion: Conflict and Cross-Border Strikes
Munir’s rise coincides with a volatile period. The latest flare-up was triggered by a terror attack in Pahalgam, which led to India’s Operation Sindoor—a targeted strike on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan’s military response and India’s retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airbases led to significant casualties and damage.
Munir’s Hardline Stance and Its Echoes of Past Military Leadership
General Munir has openly supported groups engaged in cross-border attacks and has made fiery statements invoking the ideological roots of Pakistan’s creation — including the two-nation theory. His rhetoric and recent promotion recall the political environment that enabled Ayub Khan’s authoritarian takeover.
The Symbolic Weight of the Field Marshal Rank in Pakistan’s Political Landscape
While largely ceremonial today, the Field Marshal title carries immense symbolic power in Pakistan, where the military often overshadows elected governments. Munir’s elevation thus raises questions about the balance of civil-military relations and the future trajectory of Pakistani politics.
Lessons from History: The Danger of Military Dominance in Pakistan’s Democracy
The legacy of Ayub Khan’s rule warns of the perils when military leaders consolidate power unchecked. Munir’s promotion, coming amid ongoing conflict and political uncertainty, revives concerns about the potential erosion of democratic institutions and the risk of another military-dominated era.
