After the legislation passed on November 4, 2024, the tenure of the Services Chiefs has been fixed at five years, and implementation is underway.
(Services Chiefs’ 5-year tenure) – No new legal action required (Ministry of Law)
Earlier, on May 20 this year, the government had already announced that upon the completion of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu’s tenure in March 2026, his services would be continued.
Similarly, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was appointed on November 29, 2022, and under the law currently in force, his tenure will continue until November 29, 2027.
Responsible government sources issued this clarification at a time when certain quarters were attempting to create ambiguity about whether or not the Army Chief would retire in November this year.
Islamabad (Monitoring Desk): Government sources have stated that the five-year tenure of the Services Chiefs is a settled matter, for which no new legal action is required. According to a private TV report, government sources confirmed that following the legislation passed on November 4, 2024, the tenure of the Services Chiefs has been fixed at five years, and implementation is ongoing.
Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, appointed on March 19, 2021, is currently in the fourth year of his command under this law, and his tenure will end on March 19, 2026.
On May 20 this year, the government had already announced that upon the completion of his tenure in March 2026, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu’s services would be continued. Similarly, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, appointed on November 29, 2022, will serve until November 29, 2027 under the law currently in force.
Government sources clarified this issue at a time when certain quarters were trying to create doubts about whether the Army Chief would retire this November or not. Some circles, through speculation and propaganda, are attempting to create a storm in a teacup.
A source from the Ministry of Law also confirmed that after the amendment passed in November 2024, the matter of Services Chiefs’ tenure has been settled, stipulating that all three Services Chiefs will complete five years after their appointment. Through this law, passed by Parliament, the tenure of Services Chiefs was increased from three years to five years by adopting a legal process.
With government approval, amendments were made to the Army Act, Navy Ordinance, and Air Force Act, after which the law is now in force.
-
In the Pakistan Army Act 1952, the amendment stipulates that the Chief of Army Staff’s tenure will be five years, and the age of retirement or service limit of a General will not apply to the Army Chief’s appointment, reappointment, or extension.
-
In the Pakistan Navy Ordinance 1961, the amendment states that the tenure of the Naval Chief will be five years, and the retirement age or service limit of an Admiral will not apply to the Naval Chief’s appointment, reappointment, or extension.
-
In the Pakistan Air Force Act 1953, the amendment stipulates that the tenure of the Air Chief will be five years, and the retirement age or service limit of an Air Chief Marshal will not apply to the Air Chief’s appointment, reappointment, or extension.