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Chief of Defence Forces (Pakistan)

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Chief of Defence Forces
Emblem of the Chief of the Defence Forces
Flag of the Chief of the Defence Forces
since 4 December 2025
Pakistan Armed Forces
AbbreviationCDF
Member ofPakistan Army
Reports toPrime Minister of Pakistan
ResidenceJoint Staff Headquarters
(Rawalpindi Cantonment)
SeatRawalpindi, Punjab
NominatorPrime Minister of Pakistan
AppointerPresident of Pakistan
Term length5 years
(renewable once)
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Pakistan (Article 243, 27th Amendment)[1]
PrecursorChairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (abolished)[2]
Inaugural holderAsim Munir

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is a statutory office and the highest-ranking military position within the Pakistan Armed Forces, held ex officio by the Chief of the Army Staff. The post was established under the 27th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, which amended Article 243 to replace the long-standing role of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) with a single, unified command position.[1][2][3]

The creation of the CDF abolished the position of the CJCSC following the retirement of its last officeholder (General Sahir Shamshad Mirza) on 27 November 2025, introducing a unified command structure across the armed services.[4][5] Under the new constitutional framework, the CDF is appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister. The first and incumbent CDF is Asim Munir, serving in this capacity since 4 December 2025.[6]

History

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The office was created to centralise operational authority of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force under a single constitutional post. The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the Constitution abolished the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and provided for the establishment of a Chief of Defence Forces.[1][7] Until its abolition on 27 November 2025, the CJCSC functioned as the principal tri-service coordinator.[2]

Following the retirement of the CJCSC, speculation emerged following a delay in the notification meant to appoint the incumbent Army Chief as CDF.[8] On 30 November 2025, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif dismissed the rumors as "unnecessary and irresponsible speculation". He confirmed that the appointment process had been initiated and stated that the notification would be issued "in due course" following the Prime Minister's return to Pakistan.[9]

After a five-day delay, the government issued the notification on 5 December 2025, appointing Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah as the first Chief of Defence Forces alongside his position as COAS, resetting his tenure to a new five-year term.[10]

Role and responsibilities

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The CDF is appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister.[3][11] The CDF is charged with command of the three service branches, the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, and Pakistan Air Force, as well as oversight of the National Strategic Command.[11] The amendment also grants the occupant of the post constitutional protections and consolidates the appointment powers of service chiefs under a unified command structure.[12]

Appointees

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No. Portrait Name and Rank Took Office Left Office Time in Office Unit and Course of Commission Awards
1.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah 4 December 2025 Incumbent 172 days 23 Frontier Force Regiment
17 OTS Course

References

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  1. ^ a b c Syed, Baqir Sajjad (8 November 2025). "How does the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill change the military leadership structure?". Dawn. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Shadhwani, Sanjay (8 November 2025). "27th Amendment abolishes CJCSC office, designates Army Chief as Defence Forces Chief". ARY News. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b R, Stephen N. (10 November 2025). "Pakistan Senate approves major reform bill amid opposition walkout; National Assembly vote up next". Gulf News.
  4. ^ "After India war lessons, Pakistan plans a unified command". India Today. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  5. ^ Syed, Baqir Sajjad (9 November 2025). "Analysis: One chief to rule all military services". Dawn. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  6. ^ Asad, Syed Irfan Raza | Malik (4 December 2025). "President appoints Field Marshal Munir as country's first chief of defence forces". Dawn. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  7. ^ Sajjad, Baqir (28 November 2025). "Gen Mirza bows out as last CJCSC; chief of defence forces yet to be notified". Dawn.
  8. ^ Syed, Baqir Sajjad (30 November 2025). "No Chief of Defence Forces notification as key deadline passes". Dawn. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Asif terms speculation on CDF notification 'irresponsible', says it will be issued in due course". The Express Tribune. 30 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Field Marshal Asim Munir notified as country's first chief of defence forces". Dawn. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  11. ^ a b Sharma, Rishabh (9 November 2025). "Pakistan amends Constitution to give Asim Munir new powers: Details". Business Standard. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  12. ^ "Pakistan's army chief to get expanded powers under proposed reform".
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