ISLAMABAD (THE THURSDAY TIMES) — Pakistan has moved to formalise a major restructuring of its military command after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the summary appointing Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces. The summary has now been sent to the Presidency for final approval.
Under the new arrangement, Field Marshal Munir will hold a dual role as Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces for a five-year term. Government officials described the move as part of a broader effort to streamline command structures and strengthen coordination among the country’s three armed services during a period of heightened regional and domestic challenges.
This marks the first time Pakistan has created the post of Chief of Defence Forces, a position intended to centralise strategic oversight of the army, air force and navy.
The government has also approved a two-year service extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. The extension will take effect when his current five-year term concludes in March 2026.
The decisions signal an attempt by the government to ensure continuity in military leadership amid evolving security concerns and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
