Islamabad, December 4, 2025: The federal government on Thursday appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), marking a historic milestone in the country’s military structure. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment following a summary sent earlier in the day by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Under the notification issued by the President’s Office, Field Marshal Munir will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for a five-year term. Munir was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year, becoming Pakistan’s second-ever Field Marshal and the first in over six decades, following the country’s decisive victory over India in the May war.
Moments before his official appointment, Munir told journalists at the Aiwain-e-Sadar in Islamabad, “Everything is fine; it’s all in front of you. Things are moving towards improvement, and Pakistan will now soar to greater heights from here.”
In a related development, the government approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, effective upon the conclusion of his current five-year term in March 2026.
The creation of the CDF position follows President Zardari’s assent on November 15 to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy (Amendment) Bills 2025, which had been passed by parliament.
Key provisions include:
- Dual role of COAS and CDF: The incumbent army chief’s tenure will recommence from the date of the CDF notification.
- Multi-domain responsibilities: The CDF will oversee integration, restructuring, and joint operations across all branches of the armed forces.
- Abolition of CJCSC: The post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) has been abolished and replaced by the Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC).
- Appointment of NSC Commander: The Prime Minister may appoint the NSC commander from serving Pakistan Army generals for a three-year term, based on the recommendation of the COAS/CDF.
- Delegation of powers: The CDF may authorize the Vice Chief or Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise COAS powers under written orders.
With these changes, General (retd) Sahir Shamshad Mirza became the last CJCSC before the position was formally dissolved under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
A glimpse into Field Marshal Munir’s career
Field Marshal Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986 after passing out from the 17th Officers Training Course at Mangla, where he earned the prestigious Sword of Honour.
Over his distinguished career, he has held several key positions:
- Command and Staff College, Quetta – Directing Staff
- Brigade Major, deployed infantry brigade in Kel
- General Staff Officer, Grade-2 at CGS Secretariat
- Chief of Staff, Mangla Corps
- Quartermaster General at General Headquarters
He has commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, an infantry brigade, and served as force commander in the Northern Areas (Gilgit). Munir has also held top intelligence roles, including Director General of Military Intelligence (MI) and head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Before becoming army chief, he served as Corps Commander Gujranwala and then as Quartermaster General.
Field Marshal Munir is an alumnus of Fuji School, Japan, Command and Staff College, Quetta, Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur and National Defence University, Islamabad (MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management).
He is the first COAS awarded the Sword of Honour, and is also recognized as a keen sportsman, avid reader, traveler, and a Hafiz-e-Quran.
With his appointment, Pakistan enters a new era of defence command and joint force integration, aiming to strengthen strategic oversight and operational cohesion across the armed forces.
