Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has said that Field Marshal Asim Munir will continue to serve as the army chief until November 2027 under the existing law.
Speaking on Samaa TV talk show, ‘Nadeem Malik Live’, Rana Sanaullah clarified that after amendments to the law, no new notification was required for the air chief or other service chiefs regarding their tenure. “On the day the air chief completes his five-year term, he will automatically retire,” he added.
Asim Munir to remain army chief until Nov 2027: Sanaullah
Commenting on the army chief’s performance, Sanaullah said, “The successes achieved under 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 adviser stressed that the current arrangement is in line with the law, which has allowed multiple extensions in the past, and said continuity in leadership was important given Pakistan’s security and regional challenges.
Rana Sanaullah rules out early elections
He maintained that all key decisions were made with the approval of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. The former 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 said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is pursuing stability for Pakistan, while the PTI founder wants 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 on creating new provinces, but changes to the NFC Award are under consideration to address financial imbalances. He said the federation is under severe fiscal pressure, while provinces have greater capacity, and consensus will be sought to resolve the issue.
