It is bestowed and commissioned by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to a three-star air marshal officer, and while it is officially described as the highest rank in uniformed services of Pakistan, it is equivalent to the rank of admiral of navy and general of army.

[2][3] Since it is purposely designed to make a position advancement from three-star to a four-star rank, it ranks above the Air marshal and below Marshal of the air force, although "marshal of the air force" rank is currently not held by any military leader in Pakistan.

[4] However, a four-star air chief marshal falls under the Field marshal rank of army which is a distinct one from the air force's ranking system.

An air chief marshal age is set to 64 (maximum) under the influence of article 243 as described by the Law of Pakistan.

Once the tenure of ACM is decided or enforced by the president in a joint effort with the prime minister, air chief marshal helds the command and control of air force.