PM Shehbaz approves appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as COAS, CDF

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday dispatched a summary to President Asif Ali Zardari, for appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

The post has been created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment and replaces the recently abolished office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) chairman, which officially ended on November 27.

The new role will be held alongside the army chief’s office, making it a dual command.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz has endorsed Field Marshal Munir for both positions and formally submitted the recommendation to the presidency.

Field Marshal Munir’s term for the combined responsibilities has been fixed at five years.

The prime minister has also sanctioned a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, which will begin after conclusion of his current five-year term in March 2026.

Earlier today, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the notification for CDF appointment would be issued "at any moment", emphasising that it was already in process.

Addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the law minister stressed the importance of avoiding speculation and reassured that there was no political disconnect surrounding the issue.