In a landmark military restructuring, Pakistan has appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as its first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). This newly created position centralizes authority across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, making Munir the preeminent military leader. The appointment is effective for five years, with the possibility of further extensions, and is notable for the removal of a retirement age, a change facilitated by the 27th Amendment to the Constitution.
President Asif Ali Zardari has officially sanctioned Munir’s concurrent roles as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF, based on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal. This consolidated command includes crucial oversight of the National Strategic Command, responsible for Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and advanced missile technologies. The strategic implications of this unified military leadership are significant.
The establishment of the CDF role represents a significant shift in Pakistan’s defense framework, aiming for enhanced command and control. This position effectively supersedes the former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The timing of this appointment had been a subject of much anticipation, with the official notification set for November 29, the original end date of Munir’s tenure as COAS. Separately, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu has been granted a two-year extension to his service, commencing March 19, 2026. The President offered his congratulations and best wishes to both distinguished officers.