A formal ceremony scheduled to be held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr to honour the recent promotion of General Syed Asim Munir to Field Marshal has been postponed, following a deadly terrorist attack on a school bus in Khuzdar that claimed five lives, including three children.
In a gesture of respect and solidarity, Field Marshal Munir personally requested the deferment of the high-profile event. Originally set for Wednesday, the ceremony was meant to mark a rare and historic elevation to Pakistan’s highest military rank.
The Presidency confirmed the postponement, noting that the decision reflects the seriousness of the national tragedy and the leadership’s empathy with the grieving families.
Field Marshal Munir will now join Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on an urgent visit to Quetta. The leaders will assess the security situation firsthand and extend support to both the affected communities and local authorities.
The postponement follows just one day after the federal cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, officially approved General Asim Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal. President Asif Ali Zardari was also briefed to ensure coordination at the highest level.
This elevation marks only the second time in Pakistan’s history that the rank of Field Marshal has been conferred, the first being Field Marshal Ayub Khan in 1959.
In a public statement after the announcement, Field Marshal Asim Munir expressed deep gratitude to Allah Almighty and dedicated the honour to the nation, the armed forces, and especially to the martyrs and veterans, both civilian and military, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for Pakistan.
In a related development, the federal cabinet also unanimously approved an extension of tenure for the current Air Chief Marshal, recognising his service and leadership.
