Field marshal (Pakistan)

Field marshal /fildmɑːrʃl/ (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM or FMoP) is a five-star honorary rank in Pakistan Army awarded by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to chief of army staff in recognition of distinguished service such as a major victory in a combat battle (a wartime victory). It is the highest rank in Pakistan uniformed services that ranks above general as well as air chief marshal and below none. Although it is a current and authorized rank with a pay grade of "Apex Scale",[1] it has been used one-off throughout its history and no Pakistani armed officer presently holds it, with the erstwhile and last field marshal being Ayub Khan, who was promoted to the rank in 1965. It comes with no additional powers and pay grade, but an honorary rank with a NATO's equivalent rank code OF-10. It is equivalent to fleet admiral, and while it is an ordinarily senior rank in Pakistan army, it can be refer as five-star general "standard rank scale" to distinguish it from other military insignias.[2]

Field Marshal
The insignia of a field marshal as worn on epaulettes
Country Pakistan
Service branch Pakistan Army
AbbreviationFM, FMoP
RankFive-star
Non-NATO rankOF-10
Next higher ranknone
Next lower rankGeneral
Equivalent ranksAdmiral of the Fleet

Although a five-star field marshal assumes no additional power, but it could be difficult a task for government to combat the unconstitutional political movement and the use of unsanctioned power by a military dictator, especially by a field marshal.[3][4]

History

Since Pakistan became a sovereign state, the five-star field marshal rank was only given in once to a Pakistani army general Ayub Khan who appointed himself as a field marshal in 1965 when he was also serving country's president.[5][6] Later in 2016, the Prime minister of Pakistan made a proposal to award Raheel Sharif with five-star field marshal rank, however proposal was later dismissed by Islamabad High Court over not-known issues.[7]

Appointment

The appointment of five-star field marshal is made through an appeal submitted for review request by the Prime minister of Pakistan in a joint effort with the president and defence ministry to the supreme court or high court for constitutional orders under certain rules and regulations, although the president exercises the power of the commander-in-chief and prime minister rules national assembly.[8][9][10]

Statutory limits

Although five-star field marshal rank was only given once, there are no enough evidences that could establish statutory limits of a field marshal. However, the law of Pakistan restricts the use of unsanctioned power by a field marshal or general and can be constraint under a certain constitutional amendment.[11][12]

References
  1. "Ranks & Insignia". Pak Army. 2019-05-23.
  2. "General Raheel likely to be given field marshal's rank - Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  3. "Field Marshal Ayub Dead; Ex‐President of Pakistan". April 21, 1974 – via NYTimes.com.
  4. Haider, Murtaza (November 1, 2016). "What they never tell us about Ayub Khan's regime". DAWN.COM.
  5. "Pakistan Army Chief Raheel Sharif to be Promoted to Field Marshal Rank?". News18. October 16, 2016.
  6. Hussain, Zahid (August 24, 2016). "Field Marshal Raheel Sharif?". DAWN.COM.
  7. "Petition Seeking Elevation Of Pak Army Chief To Field Marshal Dismissed". NDTV.com.
  8. "General Raheel Sharif to be elevated as Field Marshal?". Press Trust of India. October 16, 2016 – via Business Standard.
  9. "Pakistan SC approached to make Army chief Gen Raheel field marshal". The New Indian Express.
  10. "PML-N wanted to make Raheel Sharif field marshal: analyst | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  11. "Pakistan's Former dictator Pervez Musharraf sentenced to death in high treason case". December 17, 2019 – via The Economic Times.
  12. Hussain, Shaiq. "Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf is sentenced to death for treason". Washington Post.
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