Pakistan's powerful army chief says he will step down when term ends

Pakistan's powerful army chief said on Monday that he will step down at the end of his three-year term in November, the military's public relations wing said.

General Raheel Sharif is considered by many to be Pakistan's most powerful man, and he has led a military campaign against some Islamist militants.

The general has pledged that efforts to combat terrorism "will continue with full vigor and resolve" after he retires, a tweet by the army spokesman said.

Pakistan's past two military chiefs had sought extensions of their terms instead of stepping down.