ISLAMABAD: As the Nov 29 deadline passed without any official notification, uncertainty deepened over the government’s delay in appointing Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) — a newly created position that merges the roles of the army chief and the now-abolished Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
The CDF post, introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, officially replaced the CJCSC on Nov 27. Analysts and officials had widely expected the notification to be issued alongside the abolition of the CJCSC office, especially since Nov 29 marked the original completion of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s initial three-year tenure.
Legal Debate Over COAS Tenure
Some legal experts argued that the absence of fresh notification could be interpreted as a lapse in the army chief’s tenure.
However, the 2024 amendment to the Pakistan Army Act, which extended the term of all service chiefs to five years, included a “deeming clause” — making the extension legally automatic and eliminating the need for any new notification.
Officials say that because of this legal update, Nov 29 was never a binding cut-off date.
CDF Appointment Still Requires a Notification
Despite this, there is broad agreement among senior security and legal circles that the CDF post is a new assignment, not a continuation.
Therefore, a fresh public notification is required to appoint Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first CDF — unlike the quiet extensions recently granted to the PAF chief and the ISI director general.
Sources say the delay signals unsettled discussions at the highest level of government. One major point being debated is:
- Should the COAS’s five-year tenure begin from November 2022 (when he assumed command) or November 2025 (as speculated after the new law)?
Questions Over New Command Structure
Another sensitive issue is defining the operational authority the CDF will hold over the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy.
The new defence framework aims to centralise strategic command, but the exact structure still awaits final approval.
New Nuclear Command Position Also Pending
The government must also appoint the Commander National Strategic Command (NSC) — a new four-star post replacing the nuclear command role previously held by the CJCSC. Officials say this appointment will happen only after the CDF notification.
Amendments to NCA Act Still Required
The National Command Authority (NCA) Act also needs revision to reflect the elimination of the CJCSC and the creation of the CDF and NSC Commander under Article 243.
This will determine:
- Placement of new posts
- Command relationships with PAF and PN chiefs
- Whether air force and navy leaders will continue to hold representation in the NCA
Delayed Notification Embarrasses Top Brass
The government pushed the 27th Amendment through parliament at high speed, but the notification delay has reportedly caused embarrassment within senior military leadership, disrupting what planners expected to be a smooth transition to the new higher-defence structure.
