Ministry notifies Field Marshal Asim Munir’s appointment as Chief of Defence Forces
Extension in Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar’s tenure also notified
The Ministry of Defence issued a notification on Friday morning confirming the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) following presidential approval on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The ministry’s notification says “In exercise of powers conferred by Article 243 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 read with Section 8A of Pakistan Army Act 1952, the President on the advice of the Prime Minister is pleased on appoint Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir NI(M), HJ as Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defence Forces for a tenure of five (05) years.”
The notification came after the president approved the appointment, on the advice of PM Shehbaz Sharif.
“President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as COAS concurrently as CDF for five years,” the Presidency said in a statement, formally ending days of speculation over the delay in notification.
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as COAS concurrently as CDF for 5 years, and a 2-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu from 19 March 2026. The President conveyed his best wishes to both. pic.twitter.com/RrIJNCC7I5
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 4, 2025
Earlier on Thursday evening, PM Shehbaz had advised the president to appoint Field Marshal Munir to the newly-created, dual-hatted office.
“The prime minister has forwarded to the Presidency the summary approving the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as Chief of the Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has forwarded to the Presidency the summary, approving the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will serve concurrently as Chief… pic.twitter.com/cv3WsvXzj2
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) December 4, 2025
The new structure consolidates operational, administrative and strategic authority in a single office established through amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution under the 37th Amendment.
The revised Article 243 provides that the president, acting on the prime minister’s advice, shall appoint the chief of the army staff, who will concurrently serve as the chief of defence forces.
The amendment also abolished the office of chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC), dismantling the tri-service coordination system in place since 1976 and transferring joint command integration to the CDF.
Air Chief’s tenure extended
A separate notification issued by the Ministry of Defence also notified President Zardari’s approval of the prime minister’s advice regarding the leadership of the air force.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 243 of the Consitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, read with Section 10B of the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, the president on the advice of the prime minister is pleased to extend the appointment of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar (NI) M, as chief of the air staff for a tenure of two years with effect from March 19, 2026,” the separate notification said.
The extension will take effect upon completion of his current five-year term in March next year, keeping him in office until March 2028.
Reporter Ahmad Mansoor