- The appointments mark a significant restructuring of Pakistan’s military leadership, with the creation of the CDF role seen as a step toward aligning the armed forces with contemporary defence and strategic requirements.
Islamabad, December 5 2025 (Agencies) – Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) on Thursday after President Asif Ali Zardari signed off on the summary recommending the appointment.
A press release from the presidency confirmed that the president also approved a two-year extension in the tenure of Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, extending his best wishes to both commanders for their upcoming terms.
The newly created CDF position, established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replaces the now-abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which formally ended on November 27. The role will be dual-hatted, combining the responsibilities of the army chief with those of the chief of defence forces.
Following the appointment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his congratulations and best wishes to Field Marshal Munir. In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier said the appointment of the CDF was aligned with modern warfare requirements and would further strengthen Pakistan’s defence.
“Under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, our brave armed forces inflicted a humiliating defeat on the enemy,” the statement quoted the prime minister as saying. He also praised Munir’s leadership during Marka-i-Haq, which he said earned Pakistan respect and recognition worldwide.
The prime minister further congratulated ACM Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu on his extension, noting that under his leadership, the Pakistan Air Force destroyed enemy fighter jets in the Battle of Truth, demonstrating outstanding professional capabilities and asserting dominance over adversaries. “We will, together, make the country’s defence impregnable,” the premier added.
Earlier in the evening, Prime Minister Sharif had sent the summary to President Zardari recommending Munir’s appointment as both COAS and CDF. The PMO press release confirmed that Munir’s appointment for both roles is for a period of five years.
ACM Sidhu, who was appointed as Chief of the Air Staff in March 2021, had previously been granted a one-year extension in 2024. Officials and observers had anticipated the new notification to coincide with the abolition of the CJCSC post on November 27.