JOIN USThe Pakistan Air Force's Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman has said that he does want an extension in service and will call it a day when he reaches the age of retirement on March 17.
"The PAF has no tradition that its chief seeks extension in service, with one exception, since it has not been viewed as in good taste," Suleman was quoted as saying by The News daily.
He said he would neither ask for an extension nor accept one if it is offered.
Suleman said he had trained officers to replace him and a line of command was prepared to replace him with a "fair amount of confidence".
He further said he had informed the government regarding his replacement but did not give details. However, he noted that He said that Air Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt was the senior most in the line of succession as he was currently vice chief of air staff.
Suleman superseded three senior air marshals to become the PAF chief on March 18, 2009. The new PAF chief will be appointed by the President on advice of the Prime Minister.
Air Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt, who tops the list of contenders for heading the PAF, was commissioned as a pilot in March 1977. During his career, he has commanded a fighter squadron, a fighter wing, an operational base and a regional air command.