Netizens troll Asim Munir as ‘Failed Marshal’ after Field Marshal title, Adnan Sami joins in

Despite the official recognition, General Asim Munir was met with trolling on social media platform X.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir was on Tuesday promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by the civilian government, making him only the second senior military officer in the country’s history to attain the highest military rank. The decision was announced following a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

According to an official statementfrom the Prime Minister’s Office, “The Government of Pakistan has approved the promotion of Gen Asim Munir (Nishan-e-Imtiaz Military) to the rank of Field Marshal for ensuring the security of the country and defeating the enemy based on the high strategy and courageous leadership.”

General Ayub Khan was the only other officer to have been elevated to the position of Field Marshal, which took place in 1959.

The timing of the announcement raised eyebrows, as General Munir’s elevation came just days after India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire understanding on 10 May to halt all military actions on land, sea, and air. The ceasefire followed a brief yet intense period of hostilities between the two nations.

General Munir’s role during the recent military confrontation with India—dubbed Operation Sindoor—was cited by the government as a factor in his promotion. However, the move has triggered widespread criticism and mockery on social media, with many accusing the general of “promoting himself” and questioning the legitimacy of the government’s decision.

Despite the official recognition, General Munir was met with trolling on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where users criticised the promotion, especially in light of Pakistan’s apparent military setbacks during the recent conflict. Indian armed forces and air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralised the majority of Pakistani drones and unarmed aerial vehicles deployed during the cross-border skirmishes. Some users pointed to reports alleging that Pakistani air bases were bombed during the confrontation, further questioning the rationale for Munir’s elevation.

“Asim Munir elevated himself to the rank of Field Marshal. Clown country,” wrote one user, expressing scepticism over the optics of a military leader seemingly rewarding himself amid strategic failures.

Another user, referring to reports that General Munir had taken shelter in a bunker during the four-day conflict, quipped, “After his promotion Asim Munir is now entitled to get a bigger, more spacious bunker.”

Social media also witnessed satirical commentary on the announcement. A widely shared remark stated, “Asim Munir has been actually promoted to 'Failed Marshal', not 'Field Marshal'. A failure can be promoted to this only.”

A number of users shared a video clip from a Bollywood film featuring actor Nana Patekar, in which the character performs a pooja in front of a mirror and praises himself. The clip was circulated with captions mocking General Munir, likening the self-congratulatory scene to the general’s promotion.

Asim Munir promotes himself to Field Marshall. He will now be entitled to a luxury super-deluxe bunker to hide in during the next war.

Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) May 21, 2025

Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir promoting himself to the rank of Field Marshal. pic.twitter.com/EGIbExfd3cKrishna (@Atheist_Krishna) May 20, 2025

Asim Munir promoted himself to pic.twitter.com/tPwrhbTAyr

Hindutva Knight (@HPhobiaWatch) May 20, 2025

Now Pakistanis are making fun of Failed Marshal Asim Munir pic.twitter.com/IRe2dGcTCvMountain Rats (@mountain_rats) May 21, 2025

Field Marshal Asim Munir - same energy. pic.twitter.com/6s78epQfDq

Kritant Mishra (@YourGandhiBro) May 21, 2025

General #AsimMunir s Acceptance Speech addressed to the Government of Pakistan as his audience after being made FIELD MARSHAL!!pic.twitter.com/GEltVI8GCHAdnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) May 20, 2025

Indian singer Adnan Samialso joined the online criticism. Taking to X, he posted a scene from an old Bollywood film in which a character delivers a speech to a group of animals, declaring, “I will protect the rights of all donkeys, animals with the power vested in me.” Sami’s post was interpreted as a direct jibe at the Pakistani general.