'On Expected Lines': Pakistan Extends Army Chief's Tenure From 3 To 5 Years

Last Updated:November 05, 2024, 08:27 IST

The amendment will be applicable to the current Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, who was scheduled to retire next year. His term will now be extended till 2027.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir. (Image: PTI File)

With Pakistan increasing the tenure of the Army Chief from three to five years, intelligence sources in India have said this was expected, adding that it’s the Army Chief who is important for the country and “not the institution".

The Pakistan government on Monday passed an amendment to a law to extend the tenure of the head of the armed forces from three to five years. The amendment was moved by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

Indian Intelligence sources said this is on expected lines. “In the rest of the world, the Army is for the country, but in Pakistan, the country is for the army. Passing a bill will not have any impact. This is what they wanted and they have managed this," sources said.

The amendment will be applicable to the current Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, who was scheduled to retire next year. His term will now be extended further and he will retire in 2027 irrespective of the retirement age of 64 years for a General.

According to Pakistan Parliament proceedings, it took only 16 minutes to pass the amendment bill. Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) sources say it is going to be like the government’s tenure of five years and “will give stability to the army."

News world 'On Expected Lines': Pakistan Extends Army Chief's Tenure From 3 To 5 Years