In Pakistan a General can not be questioned during his tenure. In my personal opinion after the retirement of Gen Sharief three points will decide if he retains the respect he got as serving general.
1. Critical analysis of op Zarb-e-Azb
2. Action he took against India's Surgical Strike
3. In which country his children opt to settle in
This question should have been put on the date of his retirement to get a balanced response. Given current circumstances Gen Sharief is most likely to continue in office.
Well musharraf was very much questioned during his tenure and was beaten despite having all the power in the world. The media campaign against him changed our media forever and made it into a pillar of power. The courts and lawyers. The lawyers are amongst the institutions that take credit for his downfall. We have questioned them in their tenure and we have glorified them after their tenure as well.
Many people cite kiyani. Although many don't like kiyani and yes he had flaws but I hold kiyani in a high regard. Two things kiyani faced and solved that he had inherited from musharraf. One was that when musharraf finally fell, there was a chasm between the people and the army. The chasm was growing wider with no inkling of any bridge being made. The people hated the army bcz the army was attacking its " own people" aka terrorists and the lal masjid operation ( they beg now army to do ) created major hate for the army. Since our inception, there has not been such hate. Kiyani bridged the gap. He recreated love for the army through the armies humanitarian efforts. This went a long way. A long long way. He also took steps towards depoliticizing the army and keeping the army away from politics thus even when memogate happened, he did not do martial law. When the most corrupt govt in pakistan history looted the nation, he did not do martial law. When the people begged army to save them from PPP and came on the streets, he did not do martial law.
The second problem that he was able to solve out was Baluchistan. Kiyani inherited a troubled province with insurgents but with great help from janjua, the insurgency was choked and nearly annihilated. He also took further steps with janjua to bring development to Baluchistan as well as increased induction of baluch in the military and paramilitary.
The third problem he inherited was war in terror against groups whose prowess and skills were not to be underestimated. Well supplied, well trained and experienced especially in that terrain, they were a force to be reckoned with. With an army of suicide bombers under their command, they were unleashing hell on pakistan. His operations in FATA actually laid the ground work for success of zarb e azb but they were unable to get the success of zarb e azb and don't think he enjoyed the support raheel got against terrorists. The nation was under a period of delusions till 2011.
Kiyanis downfall were a few.
Imran khan criticizing him and branded him corrupt and in league with N which turned entire PTI supporters against him.
The Osama operation.
The drone strikes.
The constant suicide attacks and failure of operations in fata curb these attacks.
As for raheel.
I think he will be revered and be branded a hero. He will never turn to politics and he will not take extension. He has done little wrong in his tenure to be criticized.
Your first point. Yes critical analysis may come to play but the results which have been more than satisfying and expected will cover any criticism. Such results have not come before in previous operations and with focus being on reforms in FATA, I doubt something serious will happen to turn public opinion.
2nd. Point. Pakistan and the Pakistani people deny and question the credibility of the strike and unless India gives harrowing evidence of its happening, I am afraid little debate will happen on this when he retires.
Don't think that will matter. His fame from FATA operations will cover that. It may come to question but I seriously doubt it.
He will retire. He has said so thus it will happen. TBH I would ignore the war mongering of the media and social media. The situation will likely deescalate.
Escalation, if it happens, at best will be a border conflict but I doubt it will be at the level of 2002.