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In a landmark move reshaping Pakistan’s highest military command, Field Marshal Asim Munir, the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has been appointed the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). President Asif Ali Zardari signed the official summary on Thursday, marking the beginning of a new defence framework under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
This sweeping structural reform eliminates the long-standing post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC)—formally abolished on November 27—and replaces it with the far more powerful CDF role. The CDF will be a dual-hatted position, combining responsibilities of the army chief with overarching authority across Pakistan’s defence apparatus.
President Signs Off on Appointments and Extensions
The Presidency confirmed that President Zardari also signed off on a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, extending his tenure beyond March 2026. Sidhu, who became air chief in March 2021, had already received a one-year extension earlier in 2024.
The press release extended the president’s best wishes to both commanders as Pakistan transitions into its new military command structure.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Approves Dual Appointment
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif forwarded the summary to the President recommending Field Marshal Munir’s appointment as both COAS and CDF. According to the PM Office, Munir’s newly formalized tenure in both roles will last five years.
This dual appointment has wide-reaching implications under the amended Pakistan Army Act and Article 243 of the Constitution. The reforms now allow the president, upon the PM’s advice, to extend or reappoint the COAS-plus-CDF for another five years, potentially allowing Field Marshal Munir to remain in office until December 2035.
What Comes Next: Appointment of the National Strategic Command Chief
One major decision still pending is the appointment of the National Strategic Command (NSC) commander—a new four-star role created to oversee Pakistan’s nuclear command functions. This responsibility was previously held by the CJCSC.
Officials confirm that the NSC commander will be appointed only after the CDF notification is fully executed, as mandated under the amended Article 243. The appointment will be made by the prime minister based on recommendations from the COAS-cum-CDF.
Observers had expected the announcement to coincide with the abolition of the CJCSC, but administrative coordination delays slowed the process.
Government Clarifies Delay and Next Steps
In recent days, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif urged the public not to speculate, saying the notification would be issued “in due course of time.” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar added that though the formal notification was pending, Field Marshal Munir was already “holding the office in all respects.”
Tarar emphasized there were no differences within the government over the transition and confirmed that the defence ministry was finalizing a new organogram for the CDF’s office. This structure has been shared with the Prime Minister’s Office and is expected to guide the new defence chain of command.
Munir’s Career and Rise to the Top
Field Marshal Asim Munir’s professional journey has spanned intelligence, field command, and senior administrative roles:
- Commissioned via Officers Training School Mangla into the Frontier Force Regiment
- Served as Military Intelligence chief in 2017
- Served briefly as ISI chief in 2018
- Commanded the Gujranwala Corps for two years
- Became Quartermaster General at GHQ
- Appointed COAS in November 2022, the 17th army chief
He was promoted to three-star rank in September 2018 and took charge shortly after. His original four-year term as COAS was due to end on November 27, but legislative changes have now reset his tenure clock.
Five-Year Tenure Reset Explained
Under the updated Pakistan Army Act, particularly Article 8A, Field Marshal Munir’s tenure as COAS-plus-CDF officially restarts from the date of the CDF notification.
The amended PAA clarifies:
- The “first appointment” of the COAS who also serves as CDF begins a new tenure period from the notification date.
- The “existing tenure” of the army chief is considered recommenced, effectively resetting his term.
The president, advised by the prime minister, will determine terms and conditions for the COAS-cum-CDF, creating a consolidated and streamlined leadership model.
National Command Authority Act Still Awaits Amendment
One key legal update remains pending: revising the National Command Authority (NCA) Act, which governs Pakistan’s strategic assets. It must be updated to reflect the dissolution of the CJCSC and the creation of the CDF and NSC commander posts. Questions remain over representation for the air force and navy chiefs once their strategic commands are consolidated under the new NSC structure.
These amendments are expected to be legally and administratively complex, potentially redefining how Pakistan’s three services interact at the highest strategic level.
A New Defence Era for Pakistan
With Field Marshal Asim Munir now Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces and with fresh laws reinforcing longer tenure structures, Pakistan has entered a new era of military governance. The coming weeks will bring further clarity as the government appoints the NSC commander and updates the NCA framework—steps that will define Pakistan’s defence landscape for years to come.
