Asim Munir gets more powerful, becomes Pakistan’s first EVER Chief of Defence Forces in historic military rejig

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has agreed to appoint Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for five years. The President approved Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recommendation to give Munir both roles i.e. Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). This was confirmed in a post from the Pakistan President’s official X account.

The announcement comes after days of speculation about whether Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would give more authority to Munir. The government was expected to announce the CDF appointment on November 29, the same day Munir’s original three-year term as army chief ended.

The position of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) was created last month through the 27th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution. The purpose of this new role is to bring all military branches under a single command.

The Pakistan President also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu. His extended term will begin on March 19, 2026.

President Asif Ali Zardari sent his good wishes to both senior officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Asim Munir, who was promoted to Field Marshal earlier this year, will continue to serve as the Chief of Army Staff while also handling his new duties as CDF. He is only the second military officer in Pakistan’s history to receive the Field Marshal rank, after General Ayub Khan, who led the country during the 1965 war with India(BHARAT).

Second Field Marshal in Pakistan’s History

Asim Munir’s appointment as the new Chief of Defence Forces comes after he was promoted to Field Marshal, a rank held by only one other person before him, General Ayub Khan, a major figure in the 1965 India(BHARAT)–Pakistan war.

A new law now ensures that Munir will stay in uniform for life and cannot be arrested. These special protections have triggered strong political criticism in the country.