Following India’s Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir in May last year, Pakistan’s military suffered devastating losses and destruction of several key strategic installations. The defeat badly shattered the morale of Pakistani soldiers and officers. According to intelligence sources, General Asim Munir approved a 25 percent hike in salaries to prevent internal revolt and restore flagging morale — a remarkable decision given that Pakistan is currently battling a severe economic crisis and widespread poverty.
The pay package includes a 25 percent increase in ad hoc relief allowance, a tripling of the disturbance allowance paid in conflict-prone areas, and a doubling of uniform allowance, batman allowance, and leave encashment benefits. The revised pay structure has been applied immediately across all ranks, a move expected to place enormous strain on Pakistan’s already stretched defence budget. Pakistan’s military media wing issued no official statement on the internal turmoil.
Despite the humiliating defeat, Pakistan promoted General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal, making him only the second officer in Pakistan’s history to hold the five-star rank after Ayub Khan. The government brazenly claimed the promotion was a reward for his outstanding leadership during the conflict with India, drawing widespread ridicule internationally.