Pakistan’s military leadership has undergone a significant transformation with the introduction of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) position. Field Marshal Asim Munir has been appointed as the inaugural CDF, a role designed to integrate command over all three service branches. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution underpins this change, abolishing the retirement age for the CDF and establishing a five-year term that can be renewed.
Following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recommendation, President Asif Ali Zardari approved Asim Munir’s appointment as both Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF. This dual responsibility grants Munir unprecedented authority, including command of the National Strategic Command, which oversees the nation’s nuclear assets and ballistic missile systems. This makes him the most powerful figure in Pakistan’s armed forces.
The CDF role is a strategic consolidation of military power, replacing the abolished Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The announcement had been anticipated, particularly as Munir’s term as army chief was nearing its scheduled end on November 29. The government’s decision to implement this new structure and appointment reflects a desire for streamlined military command. Additionally, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu has had his service extended by two years, effective from March 19, 2026. The President conveyed his best wishes for their continued service.