Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah has stated that under the existing law, Field Marshal Asim Munir will continue to serve as Chief of Army Staff until November 2027. Speaking to the media, Sanaullah clarified that following amendments to the law, no new notification is required for the Air Chief or other service chiefs regarding their tenure. He added, “The day the Air Chief completes his five-year term, he will automatically retire.”
Commenting on the Army Chief’s performance, Sanaullah said, “The successes achieved under Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership make him the most deserving of this extension. The law provides for extensions, and in the past, the country has seen repeated extensions—some individuals even took extensions for themselves.” The minister emphasized that the current arrangement is in line with the law, which has permitted multiple extensions previously, and said continuity in leadership is crucial given Pakistan’s security and regional challenges.
Rana Sanaullah Rules Out Early Elections
Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir’s accomplishments make him most deserving of an extension, and that the law already provides for such provisions. He noted that in the past, extensions had been granted multiple times, while some leaders had even sought them for themselves. He added that all key decisions were made with the approval of party supremo Nawaz Sharif.
The former interior minister asserted that the current National Assembly will complete its term until 2029, dismissing the PTI founder’s political moves as unrealistic. He said the government is open to talks if the PTI founder wishes to pursue politics, whether from jail or outside. Sanaullah stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is seeking stability for Pakistan, while the PTI founder desires civil unrest. He reiterated that the events of May 9 were not a political protest but an attempt at civil war.
On economic matters, the PML-N leader clarified that there is no discussion about creating new provinces, but changes to the NFC Award are under consideration to address financial imbalances. He said the federation is facing severe fiscal pressure, while provinces have a greater capacity, and that a consensus will be sought to resolve the issue.
