PTBP Web Desk
The Ministry of Defence officially appointed Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) on Friday. The notification came following formal approval from President Asif Ali Zardari, confirming Munir’s five-year tenure in the newly created position,
This historic appointment was preceded by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s approval of the summary recommending Field Marshal Munir for dual roles—army chief and chief of defence forces—before being sent for presidential assent. The creation of the CDF post comes under the 27th Constitutional Amendment and replaces the now-abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which was formally dissolved on November 27 this year.
Field Marshal Munir will simultaneously serve as the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, his dual-hatted role is designed to consolidate military leadership and streamline strategic command, marking a first in Pakistan’s military history.
This restructuring is viewed as a strategic initiative aimed at modernizing the armed forces in line with contemporary warfare requirements. PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Field Marshal Munir, highlighting that the new role would enhance national defence capabilities. “Under Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership, our brave armed forces inflicted a decisive defeat on the enemy,” the PMO stated, emphasizing the importance of his leadership in strengthening the country’s defence apparatus.
Alongside this historic appointment, the government also announced an extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, the head of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). ACM Sidhu’s tenure has been extended by two years, effective from March 19, 2026. The extension follows a previous one-year extension granted in 2024 and is issued under Article 243 of the Constitution and Section 10B of the Air Force Act. The presidential endorsement came upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister, reflecting continuity in the leadership of the PAF.
Meanwhile, another crucial appointment under consideration is the commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC). This newly created four-star role will oversee Pakistan’s nuclear command and strategic forces, functions previously managed by the CJCSC. Under the amended Article 243, the NSC commander will be appointed by the Prime Minister based on recommendations from the army chief, who concurrently holds the CDF position.
The creation of the CDF post is part of a broader effort to modernize Pakistan’s military leadership structure and align it with evolving security challenges. Analysts view the dual role as a move to centralize command, enhance coordination among service branches, and improve strategic decision-making capabilities.
Field Marshal Munir’s appointment has been widely recognized as a step towards professionalizing and strengthening the armed forces. His experience as army chief and his strategic acumen are expected to provide cohesive leadership across all branches of the military, ensuring operational readiness and an integrated defence strategy.
The Prime Minister’s statement underscored that the new defence framework is designed to address contemporary threats and modern warfare dynamics. “This structural evolution reflects our commitment to a robust, unified, and technologically advanced defence system,” the PMO added.
