Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the summary appointing Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as both the Chief of Army Staff and the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces, the Prime Minister Office said on Thursday. The summary has been forwarded to the Presidency for final approval.
According to the PMO, Field Marshal Asim Munir will hold both portfolios for a five year term. His appointment marks the creation of a new national security command structure, with the Chief of Defence Forces set to oversee inter services coordination at the highest level.
The prime minister has also approved a two year extension in the tenure of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. The extension will take effect upon completion of his current five year term in March 2026.
Historic Appointments Reshape Senior Military Leadership
Officials say the decisions reflect an effort to strengthen strategic integration among the armed forces, particularly as Pakistan navigates complex regional and security challenges. The appointment of the first Chief of Defence Forces is being described within government circles as a structural evolution aimed at improving joint operational planning and national defence preparedness.
The summaries sent to the Presidency are expected to complete the approval process after constitutional vetting. Further notifications will be issued following the president’s assent.
