Field Marshal Asim Munir took charge as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces on Friday. The Ministry of Defence issued Pakistan’s first CDF notification at 4:35 PM. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised the appointment. This step follows the 27th Constitutional Amendment passed last month.
The notification cites Article 243 of the Constitution. It states that the president appoints Field Marshal Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff concurrently as Chief of Defence Forces for a period of five years. The role starts from the notification date. This resets his existing tenure. Munir holds both positions simultaneously.
The change ends the office of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. That post concluded on November 27 with the retirement of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. The Chief of Defence Forces now oversees joint operations across the army, navy, and air force.
Field Marshal Asim Munir Appointment Reshapes Command Structure
The appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir marks a major shift in Pakistan’s defense setup. Officials say it boosts unified command. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the step in a statement. He said it aligns with the modern needs of warfare. “Under the leadership of Field Marshal Munir, our brave armed forces inflicted a humiliating defeat on the enemy,” Sharif stated.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar addressed the media in Islamabad. He called the Pakistan first CDF notification a strengthener for defence. “Pakistan’s defence had strengthened after the army chief’s appointment as the CDF,” Tarar said. He added that rumors on social media should be stopped. “The enemy will now be worried that Pakistan has established a unified command for all forces by making structural changes.”
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained the process earlier. He stated that no legal hurdles delayed the promotion. The hold-up came from the prime minister’s travel abroad. Tarar confirmed that a new organogram for the Chief of Defence Forces is ready. The defence ministry shared a draft with the Prime Minister’s Office. It outlines command flows between the CDF, service chiefs, and National Strategic Command.
The 27th Constitutional Amendment enables this. It revises Article 243. The president now appoints the Chief of Army Staff as the concurrent Chief of Defence Forces, on the prime minister’s advice. The National Assembly passed the bill on November 12. Two hundred and thirty-four members voted in favour. That met the two-thirds threshold. The Senate cleared it before.
Amendments to the Pakistan Army Act of 1952 support this. Section 8A sets the five-year tenure. It allows extensions up to five years. This came in November 2024. It raised service chiefs’ terms from three to five years.
Field Marshal Munir rose through the ranks steadily. He joined the Frontier Force Regiment through the Officers Training School in Mangla. He became a three-star general in September 2018. He took over as the Chief of Army Staff on November 29, 2022. That was for three years initially. The 2024 changes extended it. Promotion to field marshal followed this year.
The Asim Munir, Chief of Defence Forces, role centralises authority. It covers operational, administrative, and strategic duties. The federal government will soon define its functions. This includes multi-domain integration and jointness across services.
Implications for South Asia’s Security Landscape
This restructuring affects defence dynamics in South Asia. Pakistan faces border tensions and internal threats. A unified command aids quick responses. It matches India’s integrated theatre commands. Neighbours watch closely. India expressed concerns over power concentration. Analysts say it streamlines decisions during crises.
The move follows recent operations. Pakistan’s forces repelled incursions last month. Unified leadership helped. The Chief of Defence Forces now directs all branches. This reduces silos from the old CJCSC setup.
Air Force continuity adds stability. President Zardari approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar. It starts on March 19, 2026. That follows his current five-year term. The notification uses Article 243 and Section 10B of the Pakistan Air Force Act of 1953.
Opposition voices raised points during the debate on the amendment. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf called it undemocratic. They feared military overreach. The ruling coalition defended it as essential for security. The bill passed with cross-party support from PML-N, PPP, and MQM-P.
Background
Pakistan’s military has undergone significant evolution since 1947. The CJCSC was formed in 1976 for tri-service coordination. It reported to the prime minister. Now the CDF takes that over. The 27th Amendment also creates a Federal Constitutional Court. That handles constitutional cases.
Earlier reforms include the 18th Amendment in 2010. It devolved powers to provinces. Critics say the latest changes centralise defence. Supporters argue it modernises forces. Budget data shows defence spending at PKR 2.12 trillion for 2025-26. Those funds upgrade.
Field Marshal Munir’s career includes key posts. He served as director general of military intelligence. Then he led the Inter-Services Intelligence. His tenure saw counter-terror drives. Operations cleared border areas.
The notification delay sparked talk. The media speculated on negotiations. Officials denied rifts. They blamed procedural steps. Now clarity returns.
What’s Next
The defence ministry finalises the CDF organogram. It will detail reporting lines. Next comes appointing the head of the National Strategic Command. That is a four-star role. The Prime Minister takes CDF advice.
Service chiefs stay in place. Navy Chief Admiral Amjad Niazi’s term runs to 2027. Focus shifts to joint exercises. Pakistan plans drills with China soon. Regional talks on Afghanistan continue.
The Asim Munir Chief of Defence Forces position sets a precedent. Future appointments follow the same process. This ensures long-term stability.
In conclusion, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s appointment as Chief of Defence Forces fortifies Pakistan’s defences. It promises sharper coordination amid regional challenges.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 5th, 2025
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