Agencies
In a major restructuring of Pakistan’s military leadership, President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approved the appointment of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a five-year term. The approval followed a summary submitted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who formally recommended Munir for the newly created top post.
The announcement comes after Pakistan’s Parliament recently passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment, paving the way for the establishment of the CDF role. The amendment aims to ensure greater unity of command among Pakistan’s armed forces and accelerate decision-making during national emergencies. With the introduction of this post, the long-standing position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) stands abolished.
According to the President’s Office, President Zardari conveyed his best wishes to Field Marshal Munir as he steps into a role designed to reshape Pakistan’s defence command structure. Munir, who became COAS in November 2022, was first appointed for three years. His tenure was later extended by five years in 2024, and he will now serve concurrently as the country’s top defence authority.
In another notable decision, President Zardari also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, which will take effect after the completion of his current term on March 19, 2026.
The formal notification ends days of speculation surrounding the delay in the CDF appointment, particularly after the retirement of the last CJCSC, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, on November 27. Earlier, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar clarified that there were no legal or political hurdles and that the notification would be issued soon.
With this development, Pakistan enters a new era of military command reform, marking a significant shift in its defence architecture.
