Islamabad, December 4, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday forwarded a summary to President Asif Ali Zardari, recommending the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
The CDF post, created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replaces the now-abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which formally ended on November 27, 2025. The new position will be dual-hatted, combining the roles of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Field Marshal Munir’s tenure for both positions will be five years.
Air Chief tenure extended
The PM also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, effective after the completion of his current five-year tenure in March 2026. ACM Sidhu, who became chief of air staff in March 2021, had previously received a one-year extension in 2024.
Transition and notification delays
Officials and observers had expected the CDF notification to coincide with the CJCSC post’s abolition. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had earlier stated that the notification would be issued “in due course” and urged the public to avoid speculation. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar later added that the government would announce it soon, noting that he was “holding the office in all respects” in the interim.
The delay was attributed to coordination between the Defence Ministry and the PMO, particularly as PM Shehbaz was abroad at the time.
Pending appointments and structural changes
The government’s rapid passage of the 27th Amendment last month aimed to restructure Pakistan’s higher-defence framework, but the notification delay has complicated the transition. A key pending decision is the appointment of the Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC), a new four-star position responsible for nuclear management duties previously under the CJCSC.
According to the amended Article 243 of the Constitution, the NSC commander will be appointed by the PM on the recommendation of the COAS, who will also serve concurrently as CDF.
Additionally, the National Command Authority Act, which governs strategic assets, requires amendments to reflect the abolition of the CJCSC and the establishment of the CDF and NSC commander. Officials note that the changes will be complex, especially concerning the positions of the Air Force and Navy chiefs within the NCA and the integration of their strategic commands under a unified NSC commander.
The issuance of the CDF notification is expected to pave the way for these subsequent appointments and reforms in Pakistan’s defence command structure.
