Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton has voiced deep concern over Pakistan’s move to promote Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal, warning that the elevation could open the door to greater Chinese influence in the region.
Speaking to media, Bolton described the development as a “disturbing sign”, raising red flags about the internal political repression in Pakistan and the potential geopolitical fallout.
“I think it’s potentially a disturbing sign. Internal dissent in Pakistan is repressed. Imran Khan remains in prison… This is something the US government should press on them,” said Bolton.
“It worries me that it is another opportunity for the Chinese to take advantage of these developments. It gives them additional leverage inside Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s Surprise Move
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved the promotion of General Asim Munir to Field Marshal, the highest and largely ceremonial military rank. The decision follows Munir’s leadership during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and the confrontation with India dubbed Marka-i-Haq—which Pakistani media have hailed as a “historic victory,” despite military setbacks during India’s Operation Sindoor.
The decision, widely viewed as symbolic damage control, comes weeks after India launched precision strikes targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Civil-Military Imbalance and Political Fallout
Munir now becomes only the second person in Pakistan’s history to hold the title of Field Marshal, after General Ayub Khan, who self-appointed himself to the role in 1959 after taking over as president in a military coup.
The move reinforces the growing dominance of the military in Pakistani politics, even as former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains jailed and civilian institutions continue to be undermined.
Notably, General Pervez Musharraf, despite wielding absolute power for nearly a decade, never assumed the title of Field Marshal.
Analysts see the promotion as a strategic message: Munir is not only untouchable, but irreplaceable, giving the military unprecedented control over the country’s future trajectory.
India’s Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s Military Crisis
The decision to promote Munir also coincides with a narrative struggle within Pakistan. While India’s Operation Sindoor exposed serious vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defense and intelligence infrastructure, the civilian and military leadership in Islamabad has doubled down on portraying the event as a strategic success.
This has led many to question the timing of Munir’s elevation, with critics calling it an attempt to deflect blame, project strength, and preserve the army’s image amid growing domestic discontent.
A Call for US Attention
Bolton emphasized that the United States must not remain passive, especially given Pakistan’s deepening ties with China, which has made strategic inroads through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and military support.
“The continued level of hostility here is just going to impede Pakistan’s development, as it has for many years already,” Bolton noted, highlighting the long-term implications of militarized governance and external manipulation.
Conclusion
While Pakistan seeks to glorify General Munir’s leadership, the move has drawn sharp international scrutiny. For many, it is a symbol of institutional dysfunction, where military prestige outweighs accountability. With China looming, India on alert, and the US expressing concern, the promotion could mark a turning point in South Asia’s already fragile power dynamics.