Islamabad — The federal government on Thursday appointed Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a historic post created under recent amendments to military legislation. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment following a summary submitted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Field Marshal Munir will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for a five-year term.
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The elevation of COAS Munir to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year marked Pakistan’s second-ever promotion to the rank and the first in more than six decades, following the country’s resounding victory over India in the May war. Speaking to journalists shortly before his appointment, Munir said, “Things are moving towards improvement, and Pakistan will now soar to greater heights from here.”
President Zardari also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, effective after his current five-year tenure concludes in March 2026.
The creation of the CDF post follows the President’s assent on November 15 to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy (Amendment) Bills 2025. The amendment grants Article 243 powers, which previously applied to a Field Marshal, to any general promoted to that rank. It allows the federal government to authorise the Vice Chief or Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise COAS powers under written orders from the CDF.
A key structural change introduced under the amendment is the abolition of the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), now replaced by the Commander of the National Strategic Command. The Prime Minister may appoint this commander for a three-year term from serving Pakistan Army generals, based on the recommendation of the COAS/CDF. The 27th Constitutional Amendment officially ended the CJCSC post, with General (retd) Sahir Shamshad Mirza being the last occupant.
Field Marshal Munir’s Career Highlights:
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Commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986; awarded Sword of Honour.
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Held key positions including Brigade Major, General Staff Officer Grade-2, Chief of Staff Mangla Corps, and Quartermaster General at GHQ.
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Commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, an infantry brigade, and served as Force Commander in the Northern Areas, Gilgit.
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Served as Director General Military Intelligence and head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
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Education includes Fuji School, Japan; Command and Staff College, Quetta; Malaysian Armed Forces College; and National Defence University, Islamabad; holds MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management.
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First army chief to be awarded the Sword of Honour; known as a sportsman, avid reader, traveller, and Hafiz-e-Quran.
Field Marshal Munir’s appointment marks a historic restructuring of Pakistan’s military hierarchy, with the CDF tasked with multi-domain integration, restructuring, and ensuring jointness across the armed forces.
