Field Marshal Asim Munir has been appointed as Pakistan’s inaugural Chief of Defence Forces.

On Thursday, the federal government appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s inaugural Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), signifying a major advancement in the nation’s military framework.

The appointment, sanctioned by President Asif Ali Zardari after a summary presented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, designates Field Marshal Munir as Chief of Army Staff concurrently.

The establishment of the CDF post is a result of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which was enacted to enhance coordination among the military services. Field Marshal Munir has officially assumed this newly established position with parliamentary permission.

The announcement verifies that Gen Asim Munir would assume the dual roles of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces. The term of the CDF shall begin immediately with the issuance of the notification and is established for a duration of five years.

Extension of Air Chief

The government has granted a two-year extension to Air Chief Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, extending his tenure beyond the scheduled conclusion in March 2026.

A new institution is being established with the appointment of the CDF: Sanaullah

The announcement concludes weeks of conjecture around the choice of the nation’s inaugural Chief of Defence Forces and signifies a significant reconfiguration of Pakistan’s military structure.

Previously, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, emphasised the need of creating the CDF, asserting that the new entity will be crucial to the nation’s security infrastructure. He further highlighted that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had never sought to obstruct the notification of the CDF, addressing current allegations.