ISLAMABAD ¨C Pakistan¡¯s army chief Gen. Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with arch-rival India, shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents.
A grateful government has given him a rare promotion to Field Marshal ¡°in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy.¡±
The military has ruled Pakistan for at least three decades since independence in 1947 and wielded extraordinary influence even with a civilian government in office. But it, and its hard-line chief, have rarely received the widespread outpouring of affection seen this month that analysts say has reinforced the military¡¯s dominance in the nuclear-armed nation.
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