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Chief of Defence Forces (Pakistan)

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Chief of Defence Forces
چیف آف ڈیفنس فورسز
Incumbent
Vacant[note 1]
since 9 November 2025
Pakistan Armed Forces
ResidenceRawalpindi, Pakistan
AppointerPresident of Pakistan on advice of the Prime Minister
Term length5 years
Renewable once
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Pakistan (Article 243, as amended)[1]
PrecursorChairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (abolished)[2]

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) (Urdu: چیف آف ڈیفنس فورِسز) is the highest-ranking military office within the Pakistan Armed Forces. The post is established under the 27th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, which amends Article 243 of the Constitution to replace the longstanding role of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) with a single, unified command position.[1][2][3] Under the new constitutional framework, the President of Pakistan appoints the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The first holder of the office will be Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is set to assume the position on 27 November 2025, at which point the CJCSC post is formally abolished and the unified command structure takes effect.[4][5]

History

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The post was established to centralise the command of the three services: Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force under a single constitutional office. The 27th Amendment abolished the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and designated the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) concurrently as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).[1][6] Prior to this change, the CJCSC served as the principal tri-service coordinator.[2]

Role and responsibilities

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The CDF is appointed by the President of Pakistan on the advice of the Prime Minister.[7][3] The CDF is charged with command of the three service branches, the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force as well as oversight of the National Strategic Command.[7] The amendment also grants the occupant of the post constitutional protections and consolidates the appointment powers of service chiefs under a unified command structure.[8]

List of officeholders

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No. Portrait Name
(born–died) 		Term of office Defence branch Ref.
Took office Left office Time in office
1 Field Marshal
Asim Munir
(born 1968)
(designate) 		27 November 2025 incumbent −10 days Army [7][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Syed, Baqir Sajjad (8 November 2025). "How does the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill change the military leadership structure?". Dawn. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Shadhwani, Sanjay (8 November 2025). "27th Amendment abolishes CJCSC office, designates Army Chief as Defence Forces Chief". ARY News. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b c R, Stephen N. (10 November 2025). "Pakistan Senate approves major reform bill amid opposition walkout; National Assembly vote up next". Gulf News.
  4. ^ "After India war lessons, Pakistan plans a unified command". India Today. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  5. ^ Syed, Baqir Sajjad. "Analysis: One chief to rule all military services". Dawn. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  6. ^ Singh, Ajit Kumar (11 November 2025). "Pakistan's Generals Rule by Law".
  7. ^ a b c Sharma, Rishabh (9 November 2025). "Pakistan amends Constitution to give Asim Munir new powers: Details". Business Standard. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Pakistan's army chief to get expanded powers under proposed reform".

Notes

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  1. ^ Asim Munir is set to take office on 27 November 2025.
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