Pakistan Overhauls Military Leadership with New CDF Role

Field Marshal Asim Munir has been appointed Pakistan’s inaugural Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a newly established position that consolidates control over all three armed services: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Simultaneously, Munir will continue his role as Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), making him the nation’s paramount military leader. This significant restructuring is supported by a constitutional amendment that removes retirement age limitations for the CDF, establishing a five-year term with potential for renewal. The President’s office officially announced the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recommendation for Munir to hold both titles for a five-year period. The CDF will have direct oversight of the National Strategic Command, which manages Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and missile systems, amplifying Munir’s strategic influence. This new structure effectively replaces the former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and centralizes military command. The decision had been anticipated, signaling a potential shift in military power dynamics. Additionally, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu’s service has been extended for two years. Field Marshal Munir’s simultaneous holding of the highest military rank and the combined command of COAS and CDF is unprecedented in Pakistan’s military history.