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Asim Munir

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Asim Munir

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah (born 1968) is a Pakistani military officer who is currently serving as Pakistan's first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the 11th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of the Pakistan Army concurrently. Prior to becoming the COAS, he was posted at the GHQ as quartermaster general. He has formerly led both of Pakistan's primary intelligence agencies, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI). Munir received the Sword of Honour for his performance as a cadet in the Officers Training School (OTS), Mangla. He commanded the XXX Corps in Gujranwala from 17 June 2019 to 6 October 2021. He served as the 28th Director-General of the ISI until he was replaced by Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed on 16 June 2019. On 20 May 2025, Munir was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal for his leadership during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, becoming the second-ever person to attain the rank in Pakistan's history after Ayub Khan, and the only field marshal to serve as the Chief of Army Staff simultaneously. He is also a recipient of the Hilal-i-Jur'at, Pakistan's second-highest gallantry award.

Infobox

President
Mamnoon Hussain
Preceded by
Major General Hafiz Masroor Ahmad
Preceding Commands
Preceding Commands Quartermaster GeneralIn office6 October 2021 – 28 November 2022PresidentArif AlviCorps Commander GujranwalaIn office17 June 2019 – 6 October 2021PresidentArif Alvi28th Director General of the ISIIn office25 October 2018 – 16 June 2019PresidentArif AlviPreceded byLTG Naveed MukhtarSucceeded byLTG Faiz HameedDirector General Military IntelligenceIn officeDecember 2016 – 24 October 2018PresidentMamnoon HussainPreceded byMajor General Nadeem Zaki ManjSucceeded byMajor General Sarfraz AliCommander Force Command Northern AreasIn officeOctober 2014 – December 2016PresidentMamnoon HussainPreceded byMajor General Hafiz Masroor AhmadSucceeded byMajor General Saqib Mehmood Malik
Succeeded by
Major General Saqib Mehmood Malik
Born
1968 (age 56–57)Rawalpindi, West Pakistan, Pakistan
Spouse
Syeda Irum Asim
Children
3
Parent
mw- Syed Sarwar Munir Shah (father)
Education
Officers Training School, Mangla Pakistan Command and Staff College National Defence University, Pakistan Fuji School Japan Malaysian Armed Forces College
Allegiance
Pakistan
Branch/service
Pakistan Army
Years of service
1986 — present
Rank
Field Marshal
Unit
23 Frontier Force Regiment
Commands
Quartermaster General XXX Corps Inter-Services Intelligence Military Intelligence of Pakistan Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) 23 Frontier Force Regiment
Battles/wars
mw- li Insurgency in Balochistan Operation Azm-e-Istehkam War in North-West Pakistan Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad Operation Azm-e-Istehkam Durand line skirmishes 2024 Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes 2025 Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict 2019 India–Pakistan border skirmishes 2024 Iran–Pakistan border skirmishes Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar 2025 India-Pakistan conflict Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos
Awards
Nishan-e-Imtiaz Hilal-i-Imtiaz Hilal-i-Jur'at Sword of Honour
Succeeding
Sahir Shamshad Mirza(as CJCSC)
Prime Minister
_

Tables

· Dates of promotion
Insignia
Rank
Date
Field Marshal, COAS
May 2025
General, COAS
November 2022
Lieutenant General
September 2018
Major General
October 2014
Brigadier
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
April 1986
· Awards and decorations
Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998
Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998
Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) (2022)
Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998
Hilal-i-Jur'at (Crescent of Courage) (2025)
Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan (Escalation with India Medal) 2002
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) (2018)
Tamgha-e-Azm (Medal of Conviction) (2018)
Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) Siachen Glacier Clasp
10 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal
Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) (2022)
20 Years Service Medal
Hilal-i-Jur'at (Crescent of Courage) (2025)
30 Years Service Medal
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) (2018)
35 Years Service Medal
Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) Siachen Glacier Clasp
Jamhuriat Tamgha (Democracy Medal) 1988
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990
Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) (2022)
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990
Hilal-i-Jur'at (Crescent of Courage) (2025)
Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) (2018)
Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan Medal
Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) Siachen Glacier Clasp
Command & Staff College Quetta Instructor's Medal
Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Order of Excellence) (2022)
Hilal-i-Jur'at (Crescent of Courage) (2025)
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence) (2018)
Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) Siachen Glacier Clasp
Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal) 1998
Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan (Escalation with India Medal) 2002
Tamgha-e-Azm (Medal of Conviction) (2018)
10 Years Service Medal
20 Years Service Medal
30 Years Service Medal
35 Years Service Medal
Jamhuriat Tamgha (Democracy Medal) 1988
Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990
Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1997
Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan Medal
Command & Staff College Quetta Instructor's Medal
Foreign Awards · Awards and decorations › Foreign decorations
Bahrain
Bahrain
Turkey
Bahrain
Turkish Legion of Merit
The Order of Bahrain, 1st Class
Jordan
Jordan
Turkey
Jordan
Turkish Legion of Merit
Order of the Military Merit, 1st Degree
Turkey
Turkish Legion of Merit
Bahrain
The Order of Bahrain, 1st Class
Jordan
Order of the Military Merit, 1st Degree
· External links
Preceded byQamar Javed Bajwa
Preceded byQamar Javed Bajwa
Military offices
Preceded byQamar Javed Bajwa
Military offices
Chief of Army Staff
Military offices
Succeeded byTBD
Military offices
Preceded byQamar Javed Bajwa
Chief of Army Staff
Succeeded byTBD
· External links
Preceded byNaveed Mukhtar
Preceded byNaveed Mukhtar
Military offices
Preceded byNaveed Mukhtar
Military offices
Director General Inter-Services Intelligence
Military offices
Succeeded byFaiz Hameed
Military offices
Preceded byNaveed Mukhtar
Director General Inter-Services Intelligence
Succeeded byFaiz Hameed

References

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  86. "Pakistan: RSF demands immediate release of journalist Ahmad Noorani's brothers, forcibly disappeared in reprisal for his reporting"
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  89. Reuters
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  90. Arab News PK
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  91. The Times of India
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  92. NDTV
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  93. DAWN
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  94. The Express Tribune
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  95. The Times of India
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  96. dawn.com
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  97. "Bahrain king awards Order of Bahrain First Class to COAS Munir"
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  98. The Express Tribune
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