Chief of Defence Forces (Pakistan)

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Chief of Defence Forces
Pakistan Armed Forces
StatusHighest-ranking military officer
AbbreviationCDF
Member of Pakistan Army
Reports to Prime Minister of Pakistan
Residence Rawalpindi Cantonment
Seat Rawalpindi, Punjab
NominatorPrime Minister of Pakistan
Appointer President of Pakistan
Term length 5 years
(renewable once)
Constituting instrument Constitution of Pakistan (Article 243, 27th Amendment) [1]
Precursor Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (abolished) [2]

The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is the highest-ranking military office within the Pakistan Armed Forces. 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]

Contents

The creation of the CDF abolishes the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and introduces 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 office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) was abolished on 27 November 2025, following the retirement of the last officeholder, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. The Government of Pakistan has not yet issued the official notification appointing the first Chief of Defence Forces. [6]

History

This newly created post will centralise operational authority of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force under a single constitutional office. The Twenty-seventh Amendment abolished the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and provided for the appointment of a Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). [1] [7] Prior to this change, the CJCSC served as the principal tri-service coordinator. [2]

Role and responsibilities

The CDF will be appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister. [8] [3] The CDF will be 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. [8] The amendment will also grant the occupant of the post constitutional protections and consolidates the appointment powers of service chiefs under a unified command structure. [9]

Controversies

Following the abolition of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) office on 27 November 2025, a formal government notification appointing the first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) was expected immediately. However, the failure to issue an official announcement by the anticipated deadline of 29 November the expiration date of Field Marshal Asim Munir's original three-year tenure as Army Chief resulted in legal ambiguity regarding the leadership command structure. [10]

The delay triggered widespread speculation regarding internal governmental disagreements over the tenure's commencement date, specifically whether the new five-year term should retroactively begin from 2022 or start afresh from November 2025. [10] [11] Concurrently, allegations surfaced regarding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's extended stay in London, suggesting it was a deliberate tactic to delay the signing of the notification, which fueled rumors of civil-military friction. [12]

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. [13] [14]


References

  1. 1 2 3 Syed, Baqir Sajjad (8 November 2025). "How does the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill change the military leadership structure?". Dawn. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Shadhwani, Sanjay (8 November 2025). "27th Amendment abolishes CJCSC office, designates Army Chief as Defence Forces Chief". ARY News. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  3. 1 2 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. ↑ "Gen Mirza bows out after 40-year career as CJCSC; CDF yet to be notified". Dawn. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  7. ↑ Sajjad, Baqir (28 November 2025). "Gen Mirza bows out as last CJCSC; chief of defence forces yet to be notified". Dawn.
  8. 1 2 Sharma, Rishabh (9 November 2025). "Pakistan amends Constitution to give Asim Munir new powers: Details". Business Standard. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Pakistan's army chief to get expanded powers under proposed reform".
  10. 1 2 Syed, Baqir Sajjad (30 November 2025). "No Chief of Defence Forces notification as key deadline passes". Dawn . Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Govt breaks silence on delay in CDF notification". Dawn . 1 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "Pakistan PM "deliberately staying out" to avoid issuing CDF notification, says security expert Tilak Devasher". The Tribune . 30 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "Notification for CDF appointment in due course: Asif". Gulf News . 30 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
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