Asim Munir named powerful No.1 defence chief in a decisive national move

Field Marshal Asim Munir Appointed Country’s First CDF – A Detailed Overview

The government of Pakistan has taken one of the most significant defence-related steps in decades by officially notifying Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The decision came after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to the Ministry of Defence, this appointment falls under the constitutional changes introduced through the 27th Amendment, marking the most sweeping restructuring of Pakistan’s military command since the 1970s.

While this historic development has been discussed widely, it is also interesting to observe how major global issues are unfolding at the same time — such as cases where Six Foreign Nationals Seized incidents dominate security news around the world. In many regions, border authorities are dealing with similar challenges. Throughout this article, we will place a few contextual references to this keyword as requested, but the main focus remains on the appointment of the first CDF.

Historic Constitutional Shift

According to the official notification, the president exercised his powers under Article 243 of the Constitution and Section 8A of the Pakistan Army Act to appoint Field Marshal Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) while also giving him the concurrent charge of Asim Munir named powerful Chief of Defence Forces. His five-year tenure starts from the day the notification was issued.

A separate notification extended the term of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu for another two years starting March 19, 2026. With this extension, he will remain in office until March 2028.

This restructuring is comparable to situations in other countries where unified defence commands are formed in response to national security challenges — challenges sometimes highlighted by headlines such as Six Foreign Nationals Seized, which underline the increasing complexity of cross-border threats.

Abolition of CJCSC & New Defence Structure

One of the most important changes under the 27th Amendment is the abolition of the office of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). This position had existed since 1976 and was the central point for tri-services coordination. With its removal, all strategic, operational, and joint command authority has been consolidated under the newly created Asim Munir named powerful CDF.

Under revised Article 243:

• The president will appoint the COAS.

• The COAS will simultaneously serve as the Chief of Defence Forces.

The consolidation means the CDF now holds more strategic authority than any single office holder in the last five decades — a move many analysts compare to how some nations strengthen border command when incidents like Six Foreign Nationals Seized raise concerns about national security. Asim Munir named powerful

Government Amends Pakistan Army Act

To adjust military laws to the constitutional changes, the government amended key provisions of the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952.

Key points:

• The tenure for the first COAS-plus-CDF starts from the date of notification.

• The existing tenure of the current COAS is reset from that date.

• Terms and conditions will be set by the president on PM’s advice.

• The amended law allows:

  • Reappointment for up to five years

  • Extension for up to five years

This means that Field Marshal Asim Munir can legally remain in office until December 2035, depending on future decisions by the president and prime minister.

Political Delay and Speculation

The delay in issuing the notification triggered political discussion in Islamabad. The CJCSC post had already been abolished on November 27 after General Sahir Shamshad Mirza retired. When the notification for the CDF did not appear on November 29 — the day Asim Munir’s earlier three-year term under the old law technically ended — uncertainty grew.

Political observers hinted that the delay might be related to negotiations over key upcoming four-star postings. These may include:

• Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC)

• Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS)

• Future Director General of ISI

Such speculation is common in countries dealing with sensitive defence matters and border challenges. For example, when headlines similar to Six Foreign Nationals Seized appear in global media, governments often become more cautious in making leadership decisions.

Prime Minister’s Message to the New CDF

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Field Marshal Munir, stating:

“Under the leadership of Field Marshal Munir, our brave armed forces inflicted a humiliating defeat on the enemy.”

He said the appointment brings clarity and unity to Pakistan’s defence structure at a critical moment.

Why This Change Matters

This restructuring represents the most significant defence governance shift since the 1970s. Analysts say the advantages include:

• Faster decision-making

• Stronger joint command between Army, Navy, and Air Force

• Better integration of strategic and operational planning

• Alignment with modern defence models

In regions where incidents like Six Foreign Nationals Seized repeatedly highlight international vulnerabilities, such unified structures often strengthen a nation’s readiness.