Ministry of Defence issues notification stating Field Marshal Asim Munir as CDF

WEB DESK: The Ministry of Defence has issued a notification confirming the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) following presidential approval.

According to the official summary, Field Marshal Munir will continue to serve as Chief of Army Staff while also holding the new position of Chief of Defence Forces. His appointment is for a five-year term.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also approved a two-year extension for the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu as Chief of Air Staff, which will take effect after the completion of his current five-year term in March 2026.

The summary recommending Field Marshal Munir’s appointment as both Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces was previously sent to the Presidential House for approval, marking a historic step as he becomes the first officer to hold the newly created top defence post.

The notification formalises the government’s decision and outlines the structure of Pakistan’s newly strengthened defence leadership, consolidating oversight of the armed forces under a single Chief of Defence Forces while retaining the traditional role of Chief of Army Staff.

The Ministry of Defence has also issued a notification, following presidential approval, extending the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu as the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force by two years. The extension will take effect from March 19, 2026, and has been issued under Article 243 of the Constitution of Pakistan and Section 10B of the Air Force Act.