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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the notification for the appointment of Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) would be issued “in due course of time”, confirming that the process had formally begun. In a post on X, Asif informed the public that “the process has been initiated”, adding that the notification would be finalised and released once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned to the country from London. According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the prime minister is expected to arrive back in Pakistan on Monday.
The newly created CDF position—established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment—has replaced the now-abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The CJCSC role formally ceased to exist on November 27. Under the revised defence structure, the CDF will serve as a dual-hatted authority, combining the responsibilities of the former CJCSC with those of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). This makes the CDF both the highest-ranking military officer and the central authority for joint defence coordination.
Many observers had expected the CDF notification to be issued simultaneously with the abolition of the CJCSC post. November 29 was viewed as an especially significant date, as it marked the end of the original three-year tenure of the current COAS, Field Marshal Asim Munir. When that day passed without the issuance of the CDF appointment notification, it triggered intense debate and speculation across strategic, political, and legal circles.
The Legal Need for a New Notification
The delay has also revived a key legal discussion. Several legal experts previously argued that without a new notification extending his role, Field Marshal Munir’s tenure could technically be interpreted as having lapsed. However, a 2024 amendment to the Pakistan Army Act extended the tenures of all service chiefs to five years. The amendment also included a powerful “deeming clause”, stipulating that the change “shall always be deemed to have been part of the Pakistan Army Act”. Legal specialists believe this clause retroactively validates the five-year tenure and eliminates the need for a fresh extension notification.
Despite this, there is widespread agreement among constitutional and security officials that the creation of the CDF post—being a completely new appointment rather than a continuation of an existing role—requires a formal notification. Under the 27th Amendment and subsequent changes to military laws, the army chief will automatically serve as the CDF for a fixed five-year term. Several senior security officials confirmed to Dawn that a public notification assigning Field Marshal Munir to this new position is legally unavoidable.
Unresolved Issues Fueling the Delay
The hold-up in issuing the notification has been widely interpreted as evidence of unresolved disagreements within the highest levels of government and security leadership. Sources familiar with internal discussions suggest that one of the most delicate issues concerns the official start date of the COAS’s new five-year term. While Field Marshal Munir assumed command in November 2022, some officials argue that the amended laws imply a fresh tenure beginning in November 2025. This date had been widely speculated upon when the new legislation was passed.
Another sensitive question involves the scope of operational authority granted to the CDF. Although the position is designed to unify strategic military leadership, there remains uncertainty about the degree of command the CDF will exercise over the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy. The precise distribution of operational control among the three services continues to be discussed at senior levels.
The rapid passage of the 27th Amendment earlier in the month suggested a strong political will to implement Pakistan’s new higher-defence structure quickly. Yet the unexpected delay in issuing the CDF notification has created frustration among senior military leaders, who had hoped for a smooth and well-coordinated transition. The lack of clarity has complicated the shift to the restructured defence framework and raised questions about the government’s internal consensus on the new system.
Another Critical Appointment Still Pending
In addition to the CDF appointment, another significant decision remains unresolved: the selection of the commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC). This new four-star post is intended to take over responsibility for managing Pakistan’s nuclear command-and-control functions—duties previously handled by the CJCSC. Officials believe that the appointment of the NSC commander will take place only after the CDF notification has been formally issued.
At a time when Pakistan’s defence architecture is undergoing its most significant structural transformation in decades, the delay in a key notification has created legal ambiguity, political speculation, and institutional unease. With the prime minister’s return expected shortly, all eyes remain on the government to deliver clarity on the future of the country’s top military leadership.
