Leader of the Year 2025 COAS & CDF FM Asim Munir NI(M), HJ Architect of Marka-e-Haq

No doubt, Pakistan’s successive civilian and military leaders contributed their share to advance the cause of the country but Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has emerged as a unique military leader in the annals of the country’s history by implementing the slogan of ‘Pakistan First’ in letter and spirit. It was because of his uncompromising stand on issues of national interest that enemies stand subdued and Pakistan has the tallest ever standing in the comity of nations. In recognition of his matchless professional conduct and memorable role in defending the cause of the country, the Field Marshal is declared as ‘Leader of the Year 2025’.
The coveted title has been conferred on him by the daily Pakistan Observer after a comprehensive round-the-year exercise carried out by its Editorial Board on the basis of his professionalism and achievements as gauged through surveys conducted by the paper’s nation-wide network of bureaus and correspondents, interviews of leaders of public opinion and people representing different walks of life and shades of opinion, interaction with members of the diplomatic community, feedback from abroad through e-surveys as well as comments and analyses appearing in the world media. Declaration of ‘Leader of the Year’ has been an annual feature of the daily Pakistan Observer and the title has gone to both national personalities and global figures. Interestingly, almost every year, many prominent personalities are recommended for the award of the title by the participants of the surveys and the Editorial Board has to select one of them based on the popular public perception as well as personality traits and achievements of those recommended. However, this year, barring negligible differences of perception, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir remained almost an uncontested candidate for the title, understandably because of what he did to salvage the country in the face of daunting security challenges.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Pakistan changed in 2025 and the man behind this change was none other than Field Marshal Asim Munir. Local analysts and international observers agree that the year 2025 witnessed a dramatic transformation of Pakistan’s overall global perception and apart from other factors, the thrilling drop scene of the May conflict with India played a dominant role in bringing Pakistan into the focus of the diplomatic and security landscape of the world and that too in a positive light. The majority of those who participated in public opinion polls pointed out that Syed Asim Munir was surely the hero of the earth-shattering victory of Pakistan against a power drunken enemy. The way the armed forces of Pakistan responded to the challenge thrown by India to the security and sovereignty of the country entirely changed the global perception about Pakistan. From a country, almost always the target of criticism on the pretext of the issue of terrorism, Pakistan emerged as a strong, responsible and peace-loving state acting as a bulwark in the war against terror.

The surveys conducted by Pakistan Observer highlighted the perfection of the war plan, meticulously drawn by the armed forces under the overall guidance of Syed Asim Munir, and implemented in a highly coordinated manner, producing intended results. The sophistication of the strategy adopted by the armed forces of Pakistan has filled the hearts of Pakistanis with a sense of satisfaction and pride that defence of the motherland was in safe hands, remarked a defence analyst. Another prominent commentator pointed out that India always treated Pakistan as an ‘easy prey’ and it was due to this misperception that New Delhi carried out the false flag operation of Pahalgam to fabricate an excuse to launch an aggression against Pakistan. ‘However, the iron-fist blow inflicted by Pakistan humbled the enemy and stunned the world’. Pakistan’s swift and decisive punch not only thoroughly demoralized India but also relayed a firm message across the globe that Pakistan was capable of taking care of its defence despite various odds.

The majority of respondents highlighted that Pakistan’s defence and diplomatic standing improved immensely due to its mature handling of the May war and presenting its point of view before the world community in an argumentative manner. It is because of his heroic deeds that Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has become the most sought after military leader in the world. His professionalism earned him respect from other countries and world leaders including President of the United States Donald Trump who frequently refers to him as ‘brave, professional and great’ General/Field Marshal. He had a singular honour of being the only serving Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan who was hosted by the President of the United States in the White House. President Trump, during his important public appearances, never forgets to mention the superb performance of Pakistan armed forces by referring to the downing of eight (Indian) fighter planes.
It was also pointed out during surveys that professional capabilities of our armed forces and effective and prompt use of modern technologies and defence arsenal during the short war with India significantly enhanced the image of Pakistan’s defence forces and reliability of the locally manufactured and jointly produced (with China) weapons and system. This is evident from the increased demand of the JF-17 thunder aircraft, J-10C fighter jets, PL-15 missiles and Turkish drones. Increased interest of different countries in Pakistani fighter aircraft and other weapons is manifestation of the confidence and trust in the quality and reliability of defence products. It may also be mentioned that a recent report by Reuters credited CDF’s statesmanship as a soldier diplomat for securing the largest-ever conventional arms deal under which Pakistan will sell over $4 billion weapons to Libyan army, putting Pakistan in a prominent position in the list of arms suppliers. The precision with which Pakistan hit the enemy’s targets; the tactics and the enviable level of coordination have become a subject of discussions in war colleges of the world.

Regional dynamics are changing because of improved perception of Pakistan’s defence capabilities. In a historic development, Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) in September 2025 with a commitment to treat aggression against one as aggression against both, aiming to enhance joint deterrence and regional stability through deeper defense cooperation, military tech sharing, and joint training, solidifying Pakistan’s role as a key security partner for the Kingdom.

Local and foreign observers point out that it was also because of the active involvement of the COAS/CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir that 2025 saw a much-needed reset of Pakistan-US relations. In the words of Brig Gen (retired) Mark Kimmitt, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Near East and South Asia and former assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, Pakistan appears to have gone from pariah to partner and has emerged as a pillar of President Trump’s evolving foreign policy vision for South Asia. According to him, FM Syed Asim Munir is emerging as the star of Trump’s inner circle. Most importantly, those who prophesied that Pakistan could be warming up to the US at the cost of its most reliable friend China have proven wrong as Islamabad has succeeded in its balancing act by maintaining cordial relations with all important capitals.
It may also be pointed out that the British publication Financial Times has recognized the FM for his impressive leadership and strategic diplomacy in the changing global order. The journal highlighted his role as an effective strategic leader and a key figure in the complex world of international relations.

Another important development that respondents considered as a proof of FM Asim Munir’s Pakistan first approach was the Afghan problem. Pakistan went out of way to accommodate Afghanistan in every respect for decades but the present dispensation in Kabul is providing safe havens to the hard core criminals of TTP that are widely involved in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. The issue was raised scores of times with the Taliban authorities but Pakistan lost its patience when intensity of terrorist attacks in KP increased. Pakistan thoroughly reviewed its policy towards Afghanistan, hit terrorist hideouts there and suspended trade. It was also decided to repatriate all Afghans illegally living in Pakistan after Afghan nationals were found involved in almost most of the terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

COAS/CDF FM Asim Munir also deserves appreciation of the nation for his strenuous efforts to complement the Government’s economic agenda and diplomacy. He has been instrumental in attracting foreign investment, especially from Gulf countries.

The nation acknowledged his glorious services by promoting Syed Asim Munir to the rank of the Field Marshal and appointing him as the first ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). It is an honour for the Editorial Board of Pakistan Observer to declare him as Leader of the Year 2025. The management and staff of the newspaper congratulate him and hope he will always live up to the expectations of the nation.