Pakistan’s army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, the next Field Marshal?

[Zarvan]

Pakistan’s army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, the next Field Marshal?
ASIA-PACIFIC, NEWS April 25, 2015
IRIA sources confirm that different circles in Pakistan are holding in-house discussions on an idea to explore the possibility to promote Pakistan armed forces Chief of Staff General Raheel Sharif as a Field Marshal, or a five-star general.

The idea is being under discussion not only within government circle but also by intellectuals and senior journalists.

At a gathering of senior intellectuals, retired bureaucrats and religious figures in Islamabad on April 25, 2015 a senior journalist, Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer Mr. Zahid Malik proposed “as General Raheel Sharif has emerged as a decisive stabilizing factor in Pakistan, therefore, he deserves to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal”.

The proposal was warmly welcomed by leading Major General (R) Jamshed Ayaz Khan, security expert and writer Major (R) Ikram Sehgal and businessmen including Mian Mehmood, President of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry.


Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif meeting a Chinese soldier during his visit to Pak-China special forces joint training exercise at Headquaters SSG near Cherat, Pakistan.

Sources close to official Government circle privately confirm reports that the idea had little or no opposition in Pakistan particularly in the backdrop of General Raheel Sharif’s refusal to destabilize democracy in Pakistan when “Long March” almost undermined the authority of political government.

Another important reason to justify decoration of Field Marshal to General Raheel Sharif is his lead role in war against terrorism which posed existential threats to Pakistan during 2009-2015.

General Raheel Sharif has successfully commanded Operation “Zarb-e-Azb” and made courageous move to evicted most of the terrorists from North Waziristan.

General Raheel Sharif is also regarded as a game changer with his military and diplomatic approach to turn tension into cooperation. This change was evident vis-a-vis Afghanistan as soon as General Raheel Sharif took office of COAS.

Political sources say that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is now comfortable with General Raheel Sharif and is keen to see a “joint move” on key geo-strategic issues so as to bridge the gap between civilian and military approaches.


Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was presented the Guard of Honor on his arrival to London. He was accompanied by British Chief of Defence Staff Nocholas Houghton.

Sources in Pakistan are also arguing that General Raheel Sharif’s contribution to secure the nation from terrorism, neutralization of threats to democracy and reforming game-changer approaches with China, the United States, Russia and Afghanistan are enough reasons to see him as next Field Marshal in Pakistan after a gap of fifty years when the then General Ayub Khan was decorated as Field Marshal in 1965.

Idea promoters reason that Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff, Sarath Fonseka was recently promoted to the rank of Field Marshal for his contribution against terrorism while General Raheel Sharif has many features to his success list.
Pakistan’s army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, the next Field Marshal? | IRIA News
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[MastanKhan]

Hi,

I would rather see him as a 5 star general than a field marshall.

 

[OrionHunter]

Hi,

I would rather see him as a 5 star general than a field marshall.

A 5 star General is called a 'Field Marshal'!!

In times of peace, it is usually held only as an honorary rank after retirement! But then Pakistan makes its own rules! Like self styled and self conferred 'Field Marshal' Ayub Khan!!

 

[MastanKhan]

A 5 star General is called a 'Field Marshal'!!

Not neccessarily---but just leave the title as a 5 star general. A 5 star is also general of the armies

 

[Zarvan]

Not neccessarily---but just leave the title as a 5 star general. A 5 star is also general of the armies

What ever the title he should be promoted and when promote he should get three new years

 

[OrionHunter]

Not neccessarily---but just leave the title as a 5 star general. A 5 star is also general of the armies

Spot on! A field Marshall is the highest ranking officer commanding many army groups each having a number of armies under them. Army groups were usually commanded by 4 star generals in WWII. Pakistan has just one army of 600,000 personnel and therefore there is no need of a Field Marshal. But this could be given as an honorary rank after retirement as chief.

Point to note is that Field Marshals, Marshals of the Air Force and Admirals of the fleets never 'retire', though not in active service.

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

A 5 star General is called a 'Field Marshal'!!

In times of peace, it is usually held only as an honorary rank after retirement! But then Pakistan makes its own rules! Like self styled and self conferred 'Field Marshal' Ayub Khan!!

Pakistan is in a state of war. Cease Fire without a Peace Treaty is considered State of War.

 

[salmanACCA]

can someone explain whats a field marshal ??

 

[That Guy]

I have some reservations about this. If some one can correct me, if I'm wrong, but don't field marshals tend to have the power to declare martial law, and dissolve national institutions. It's one of the reasons why the rank is hardly given, and mostly right before retirement.

 

[Zarvan]

can someone explain whats a field marshal ??

In easy words a 5 star General

I have some reservations about this. If some one can correct me, if I'm wrong, but don't field marshals tend to have the power to declare martial law, and dissolve national institutions. It's one of the reasons why the rank is hardly given, and mostly right before retirement.

If he decides he still can

 

[That Guy]

If he decides he still can

The difference would be that if he did it now, that would be a coup, which is against the constitution. If he did it as a field Marshall, it would be completely legal, and unchallengeable.

 

[third eye]

can someone explain whats a field marshal ??

Field marshal is a very senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually it is the highest rank in an army, and when it is, few (if any) persons are appointed to it.

Its not mandatory to elevate a General to this 5 Star rank.

In most cases its been given in recognition of sterling services to the nation in times of war or peace.

I have some reservations about this. If some one can correct me, if I'm wrong, but don't field marshals tend to have the power to declare martial law, and dissolve national institutions. It's one of the reasons why the rank is hardly given, and mostly right before retirement.

No FM can unilaterally declare martial law.

A FM does not lead the 3 Services, only the Army if still in active service. Technically a FM does not retire.

 

[tsinga]

I have some reservations about this. If some one can correct me, if I'm wrong, but don't field marshals tend to have the power to declare martial law, and dissolve national institutions. It's one of the reasons why the rank is hardly given, and mostly right before retirement.

The rank of Field Martial once given means the person never officially retires.

A Field Martial officially serves as long as he/she is alive.

In a country with a history of coup's where the Military has ruled as much as Civilians have, its downright foolish to give the title Field Martial to anyone.

In India, the title Field Martial has been given after a Service Chief has rendered 'exceptional' service to the Nation...i.e much beyond what ordinary Chief's(such as they may be called) have achieved.

 

[Icarus]

The difference would be that if he did it now, that would be a coup, which is against the constitution. If he did it as a field Marshall, it would be completely legal, and unchallengeable.

That is not the case, a FM is still subordinate to the government.
From my perspective the chances of this happening are relatively slim because as per the code that Pakistan military follows, for promotion to Field Marshal, a general must have won a conflict that he had conducted against another state and he should have commanded at least two Army Formations (war time formations that are larger than a corp, i.e: British eighth army, Allied twenty-first Army).

 

[Abhitej]

Good Luck.