A new chapter in Pakistan’s military history has begun with the establishment of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir to this pivotal role. The CDF position centralizes command over the Army, Navy, and Air Force, a significant move for national defense strategy. Crucially, the 27th Amendment to the Constitution has removed any age retirement limit for the CDF, who will serve a five-year term with options for extended service.
President Asif Ali Zardari officially endorsed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s proposal for Asim Munir to hold both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) title and the new CDF designation. This consolidation of power places Munir in charge of critical strategic assets, including the National Strategic Command responsible for nuclear weapons and missile programs. This makes the CDF the single most powerful military appointment in the country.
The introduction of the CDF replaces the previous Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), signifying a major restructuring aimed at enhancing operational synergy. The timing of the announcement had been keenly watched, with the November 29th deadline for Munir’s COAS term approaching. In a related military personnel update, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu’s service has been extended by two years, starting March 19, 2026. The President wished both officers success in their respective commands.