Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has officially taken over his new responsibilities as both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) starting today.
This change comes after the approval of the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, which introduces major reforms in the country’s military leadership structure.
According to the new law, the COAS will now also serve as the CDF for a period of five years. This combined role gives the federal government the authority to define the duties and powers of the CDF.
These responsibilities are expected to include improving cooperation between all branches of the armed forces, ensuring better coordination in multi-domain operations, and strengthening overall defence preparedness.
One of the most significant changes brought by the bill is the removal of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), a post that previously served as the top coordinating position among the three services.
This role has now been replaced by a new position called the Commander of the National Strategic Command. The commander will be appointed for a three-year term based on the recommendation of the COAS/CDF. This move aims to streamline strategic decision-making and bring greater efficiency to national defence planning.
These reforms mark a major shift in Pakistan’s military command structure. Officials say the new system will lead to faster decision-making, stronger coordination between the services, and better alignment with modern defence requirements.
With Field Marshal Asim Munir now holding both key positions, the armed forces are expected to operate under a more unified and integrated command framework.
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