In a landmark decision, Pakistan has appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as its inaugural Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). This newly created position signifies a significant centralization of military authority. A key feature of this appointment is the removal of a retirement age limit; the CDF will serve a five-year term, renewable by the government, diverging from the former 64-year retirement cap for Army Chiefs.
The Prime Minister’s office submitted a summary recommending Munir for both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF roles, which has received presidential approval. This dual role empowers Munir with command over the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as oversight of the critical National Strategic Command, governing nuclear assets. This makes him the most influential military figure in Pakistan.
The establishment of the CDF role is a result of the recent 27th Amendment to the Constitution, designed to streamline military leadership. The position effectively replaces the abolished Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The timing of this appointment had been a subject of much discussion, particularly concerning the extent of power vested in Munir.
Furthermore, President Asif Ali Zardari approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu. This strategic restructuring aims to consolidate Pakistan’s defense command under a unified and extended leadership framework. Field Marshal Munir’s concurrent roles as COAS and CDF, along with his five-star rank, are unprecedented in the nation’s military history.