This undated handout photograph released by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Nov. 27, 2013 shows a portrait of newly-appointed Pakistani army chief Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif. Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif has been appointed as Pakistan's 15th chief of army staff on Wednesday, local media reported. (Xinhua/ISPR)

Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif has been appointed as Pakistan's 15th chief of army staff on Wednesday, local media reported.

General Sharif has been appointed as army chief for a three- year term by President Mamnoon Hussain who signed the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Neither army nor government has confirmed his appointment yet.

Lieutenant General Sharif, who previously served as inspector general of training and evaluation in the military, would be promoted as four-star-general before taking the new office.

He will assume the office on Nov. 29 in a change of command ceremony after the retirement of the outgoing Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Nov. 28.

Kayani served as army chief for six years from 2007 to 2013, including a three-year extension granted by the then President Asif Ali Zardari.

Meanwhile, General Rashad Mahmood has been appointed chairman Join Chiefs of Staff Committee. He will take office after the power transfer ceremony of army chief.