Air Chief Zaheer Baber Sidhu might be Pakistan’s first Marshal of the Air Force

ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), PAF, is expected to be bestowed with the title of Marshal of the Air Force for exemplary leadership during the recent conflict with India in May 2025.

The post has been introduced in the latest changes in Article 243 under the 27th constitutional amendment, which was approved by the National Assembly a day earlier.

If granted, he would be the first Chief of Air Staff to receive this prestigious distinction.

There are also reports suggesting that Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu is also likely to be reappointed for another five-year term commencing on March next year in recognition of his invaluable services.

Sidhu, who took over the reins on 19th March 2021, had already been granted a one-year extension in March 2024.

The Pakistan Army will also promote two more four-star generals. One will be the Vice Chief of Army Staff, while the other will be appointed as the Commander of the National Strategic Command. Both officers would work under the command of the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly is to discuss and approve new rules and regulations concerning the three branches of the military forces: Army, Navy, and Air Force, after the approval of the 27th constitutional amendment.

The change in legislation is in accordance with the recent amendment to Article 243 of the Constitution, providing that the Prime Minister, on the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff, who shall also be the Chief of Defence Forces, shall appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command.

Furthermore, the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee shall cease to exist with effect from November 27, 2025. The prime minister shall, hereafter, recommend the appointment of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff.

It has the effect of ensuring that those promoted to the ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet shall retain for life their uniform, privileges, and rank, but that their future responsibilities and duties shall fall under the federal government.

The amendment further gives these high-ranking military officers constitutional immunity, thereby rendering them immune from removal except in accordance with the procedures under Article 47, and extends the immunity previously enjoyed by the President under Article 248 to these officers.