Pakistan has officially established and appointed its first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) in Field Marshal Asim Munir. This newly created role consolidates significant military power, with a key provision being the elimination of a retirement age limit for the position. The CDF will serve for five years, with the potential for multiple extensions as determined by the government, a departure from the previous retirement age for Army Chiefs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal to appoint Munir as both Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has been approved by President Asif Ali Zardari. The official confirmation highlights a five-year term for this combined command. This strategic move places Munir in charge of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and also grants him oversight of the National Strategic Command, responsible for the country’s nuclear capabilities, making him the most powerful military figure.
The establishment of the CDF position, enacted via the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, aims to create a more unified and centralized military command structure. This role replaces the previously existing Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which has now been dissolved. The appointment had been preceded by considerable speculation about the government’s intentions to enhance Munir’s authority.
Separately, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu received a two-year service extension, commencing March 19, 2026. The President extended his best wishes to both officers. Field Marshal Munir’s unprecedented dual role as COAS and CDF, combined with his five-star rank, marks a significant development in Pakistan’s military leadership history.