President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces, in addition to serving as Chief of Army Staff (COAS), for a tenure of five years. The approval marks a historic development in Pakistan’s military leadership structure.
According to the Presidency, the Prime Minister recommended in his summary that Field Marshal Asim Munir—currently serving as the Chief of Army Staff—be entrusted with the newly created position of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The President has now formally approved this recommendation, confirming the tenure for five years. This is the first time in the country’s history that a serving COAS has been appointed to the role of CDF.
President Zardari also extended his best wishes to both the Army Chief (now also Chief of Defence Forces) and the Chief of Air Staff as they assume their extended responsibilities.
In addition, the President approved a two-year extension in the tenure of Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. This extension will take effect after completion of his current five-year term, beginning on 19 March 2026.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had signed and forwarded the summary recommending the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as both COAS and CDF. According to the Prime Minister’s summary, Asim Munir will simultaneously hold both positions for a five-year term, making him the first-ever Chief of Defence Forces in Pakistan’s history.
The creation of the new role and Asim Munir’s appointment are being viewed as a significant step toward enhancing coordination among the three armed services and strengthening joint defence planning.
