Asim Munir is an active four-star general in the Pakistan Army. He succeeded General Qamar Javed Bajwa on November 29, 2022 and became the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army. (COAS).
Wiki/Biography
Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah was born in 1968 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan (age 56 in 2024). After completing his formal education, he attended the 17-officer training course at the Officer Training School (OTS), Mangla. After completing military training, Asim was assigned to the 23rd Battalion of the Border Guard Force in 1986. After joining the Pakistan Army, he obtained a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from the National Defense University, Islamabad.
Photos taken by Asim Munir during his training session at OTS Mangla
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye color: dark brown
family
Asim Munir was born in the Syed family of Pakistan.
Parents and siblings
His father Syed Sarwar Munir Shah is the principal of FG Technical High School, Lakurti, Rawalpindi.
wife and children
Not much information is available about his wife and children.
religion
Asim Munir believes in Islam.
Pakistan Army Officer Career
Asim Munir’s career as a Second Lieutenant in the Pakistan Army began in 1986 when he joined the 23rd Border Guard Force. As a Major, he was posted as Brigade Major (BM) of an Infantry Division deployed in Khel, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Later, he was appointed as General Staff Officer II (GSO-II), Infantry Brigade. As a lieutenant colonel, Asim was sent to Medina, Saudi Arabia, where he recited the Quran and earned the title “Hafiz Al-Qur’an.” After being promoted to Colonel, Asim served as the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 23rd Battalion of the Border Guard Force. Later, as Major General, he was appointed Force Commander Northern Area (FCNA). As the force commander, Asim reported directly to General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was then the commander-in-chief of X Corps of the Pakistan Army.
Photo taken by Asim Munir while addressing the media during his tenure as FCNA Commander
Munir served as Director of Military Intelligence (DGMI) from December 2016 to October 2018. On September 28, 2018, Asim was promoted to Lieutenant General and subsequently appointed as the Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (Inter-Services Intelligence), General Qamar Javed Bajwa. It was during Asim’s tenure as Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence that the Pulwama attack on Indian troops took place in Kashmir in 2019. Asim served as Director-General of the ISI until June 2019, when he was succeeded by Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed. According to multiple sources, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged General Bajwa to remove Asim as he gathered evidence that Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi condoned corruption. From June 17, 2019 to October 2021, Asim Munir served as the General Officer Commanding-in-C (GOC-in-C) of the 30 Corps in Gujranwala.
Asim Munir (left) hands over command of 30th Corps to Lieutenant General Amir
After completing his tenure as Commander-in-Chief of XXX Corps, Asim was posted to General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi as Quartermaster General. Throughout his career, Asim Munir participated in numerous counter-insurgency operations in Balochistan and northwest Pakistan. He also participated in the anti-terrorist operation Radd-ul-Fasaad across Pakistan. He has also held various staff positions including Command and Staff College, CGS Secretariat and Chief of Staff Mangla Regiment. He has also completed several military courses at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Fuji School, Command and Staff College Quetta, Malaysian Armed Forces Defense College (MAFDC) Kuala Lumpur and National Defense University (NDU) Islamabad.
chief of staff of pakistan army
On November 24, 2022, the Office of the President of Pakistan announced that Asim Munir will succeed General Bajwa on November 29, 2022 and become the 11th Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The notice stated,
President Alvi has promoted Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza HI(M) to the rank of General effective immediately and appointed him Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee effective 2022 Effective November 27th. The above promotions and appointments are made in accordance with Article 243(4)(a) and (b) and Article 48(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Articles 8-A and 8-D of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952. “
Asim Munir and the President of Pakistan
After the news was announced, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan issued a statement saying that the Pakistan Army, under the leadership of General Asim, should allow Pakistan’s democracy to function and should not interfere in political affairs. A statement issued by PTI said,
We hope that the new leadership of the Pakistan Armed Forces will play its constitutional role, strengthen Pakistan’s constitutional rights and democracy, and that the people’s right to elect a new leadership through new elections will be recognized. The people of Pakistan also expect the Pakistani armed forces to refrain from intervening in domestic affairs and politics while responding to external threats. Citizens of Pakistan also hope that after the appointment of Lieutenant General Asim Munir, the rights of political parties will not be infringed upon by anyone. “
Asim Munir was expected to retire on November 27, 2022; however, the Pakistan government delayed his retirement as he was one of the top six contenders for the post of Chief of Army Staff. Asim Munir became the first Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Pakistan Army and served as Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI). He was also the first Army Chief of Staff to be awarded the Sword of Honor while serving.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 1986, Asim Munir received the coveted Sword of Honor during the passing out review at the Officer Training School (OTS), Mangla.
- Asim Munir received the Instructor’s Medal from the Government of Pakistan at the Command and Staff College, Quetta.
- In 1988, Asim Munir was awarded the Jamhuriat Tamgha (Medal of Democracy).
- In 1990, Asim was awarded the Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) by the Government of Pakistan.
- In 1990, the Government of Pakistan awarded Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) to Asim Munir.
- In 1997, the Government of Pakistan awarded Asim Munir Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan (Golden Jubilee Medal for Independence Day).
- In 1998, the Government of Pakistan awarded Asim the Tamgha-e-Baqa (Nuclear Test Medal).
- Asim has also received 10, 20, 30 and 35 years service medals.
- Asim was awarded the Tamgha-e-Diffa (General Service Medal) for the Siachen Glacier Clasp.
- In 2002, Asim was awarded Pakistan’s Tamgha-e-Istaqlal (Upgrade Medal with India).
- In March 2018, Asim Munir was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), Pakistan’s second highest peacetime military medal, awarded by the Government of Pakistan.
Facts/Trivia
- Asim Munir studied Islamic studies under the guidance of the late Islamic preacher Hafiz Khalil Ahmed.
- Asim Munir is passionate about his hobbies of traveling and reading.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education