Senator Faisal Vawda has claimed that the position of field marshal in Pakistan is not a traditional or ceremonial role but a lifetime appointment, adding that all armed forces will now be subordinate to the newly appointed field marshal, Gen Asim Munir.
Speaking on Samaa TV's show 'Nadeem Malik Live', Vawda elaborated on the implications of General Asim Munir’s elevation to the rank of Field Marshal. “There is no term limit for a field marshal. The appointment is for life,” he said.
فیلڈ مارشل عاصم منیر کی تعیناتی تاحیات ہے ۔۔۔ سینیٹر فیصل واوڈا #Pakistan #SamaaTv #NadeemMalikLive pic.twitter.com/GQCN33AMTI
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He further asserted that, going forward, all military appointments, tenure extensions, and promotions will be decided by the Field Marshal. “This rank changes the command structure — all forces will now be under the Field Marshal’s command,” he claimed.
Vawda further said, “No matter how much we criticize former dictator Gen Ayub Khan, we are still carrying forward aspects of that era.” He also praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling him a “smart prime minister and capable administrator”.
The senator also touched on the political climate, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to open the path for dialogue and resolve national matters. He added that he did not see PTI Founder Imran Khan being released any time soon.
In the same program, Minister of State for Law & Justice Barrister Aqeel revealed that the proposal to promote the army chief had come from the defense minister in the cabinet meeting. He also confirmed that the government had also approved the extension of the air chief's tenure and stated that there is still time before his scheduled retirement.
Aqeel said the government had fixed the tenure of all the services chiefs, adding that the same parliament had legislated on the tenure for all service chiefs.
