Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the promotion of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal was solely his decision.

Addressing a select group of journalists, Shehbaz said, “It was my decision to promote the army chief.” He added that while he seeks advice from his elder brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on critical matters, the final call was his.

The historic promotion, approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Shehbaz, makes Gen Munir the first military officer since General Ayub Khan in 1959 to hold Pakistan’s highest military rank.

The move comes days after Pakistan and India agreed on May 10 to de-escalate following intense cross-border drone and missile exchanges. Reflecting on the episode, Shehbaz said, “War only results in one party’s victory and the other’s loss. Only lasting peace can guarantee a secure future.”

Shehbaz asserted that war only results in one party’s victory and the other’s loss. “Only lasting peace can guarantee a secure future,” he said.

On talks between Islamabad and New Delhi, Shehbaz said that whenever discussions on terrorism take place, they will be held by the national security advisers of both countries.

He said India is not willing to involve any third country in the dialogue process.

India has always maintained that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter with Pakistan, and there is no space for any third party, PTI reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also said that Pakistan will raise four key points in any future dialogue with India: Kashmir, water, trade, and terrorism. He suggested that holding talks in a third country could be a good decision.

With inputs from PTI

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