Government sources have said that the five-year tenure of the Services Chiefs is a settled matter, after which no new legal action is required. After the legislation was passed on November 4, 2024, the tenure of the Services Chiefs has been fixed at five years, which is being implemented.
Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu is in his fourth year of command under the same law, having been appointed on March 19, 2021 which is till March 19, 2026 under the prevailing law. On May 20 this year, the government announced that the services of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu will continue even after his term ends in March 2026.
Similarly, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was appointed on November 29, 2022, and under the applicable law, his term of office is until November 29, 2027. Responsible government sources gave this clarification at a time when some quarters are trying to create confusion as to whether the Army Chief will retire in November this year or not.
According to government sources, some circles want to introduce a law by speculating and propagating this issue. A source in the Law Ministry also confirmed that following the amendment regarding the employment of the Services Chiefs in November 2024, it has been decided that the three Services Chiefs will serve for a period of five years after their appointment.
Through this law passed by Parliament, a legal procedure was adopted to increase the tenure of the service chiefs from three years to five years. With the government’s approval, amendments were made to the Army Act, Navy Act, and Air Force Act, after which this law came into effect.
The amendment made to the Pakistan Army Act 1952 stated that the tenure of the Chief of Army Staff will be five years, and the retirement age and service limit of a general will not apply to the appointment, reappointment or extension of the Army Chief.
Similarly, the amendment to the Pakistan Navy Ordinance 1961 stated that the tenure of the Naval Chief would be five years, and the retirement age and service limit of an Admiral would not apply to the appointment, reappointment or extension of the Naval Chief.ax
Similarly, the amendment to the Pakistan Air Force Act 1953 stated that the tenure of the Air Chief would be five years, and the retirement age and service limit of the Air Chief Marshal would not apply to the appointment, reappointment or extension of the Air Chief.