Five-year tenure of armed forces chiefs already a settled matter, govt sources

ISLAMABAD (Adeel Warraich) – Government sources on Tuesday clarified that the matter of five-year tenure of the services chiefs had already been settled for which no new legal action is required.

Following the legislation passed on November 4, 2024, the tenure of service chiefs has been set at five years, and this is currently being implemented.

Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu is currently in the fourth year of his command under this law. He was appointed on March 19, 2021, and under the current law, his tenure will continue until March 19, 2026. The government had already announced on May 20, 2025, that after completing his tenure in March 2026, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu’s services will be retained.

Similarly, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was appointed on November 29, 2022, and under the prevailing law, his tenure will last until November 29, 2027.

These clarifications were issued by responsible government sources at a time when certain quarters were attempting to create ambiguity about whether the COAS would retire this coming November or not. According to government sources, some groups are trying to create speculation and propaganda around this issue and stir up a storm in a teacup.

A source from the Ministry of Law also confirmed that after the amendment passed in November 2024, the matter has been settled that all three service chiefs will complete a five-year term from the date of their appointment.

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This law, passed by the Parliament, legally extended the tenure of the services chiefs from three years to five years. With government approval, amendments were made to the Army Act, Navy Ordinance, and Air Force Act, and these amendments are now in force.

The amendment to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, states that the Chief of Army Staff will have a five-year tenure, 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, specifies that the Naval Chief will have a five-year tenure, and the retirement age and service limit of an admiral will not apply to the appointment, reappointment, or extension of the Naval Chief.

Likewise, the amendment to the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, mentions that the Air Chief will have a five-year tenure, and the retirement age and service limit of an Air Chief Marshal will not apply to the appointment, reappointment, or extension of the Air Chief.