In a landmark shift for Pakistan's military structure, Field Marshal Asim Munir has been officially appointed as the country's inaugural Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a role that amplifies his authority while he retains his post as Chief of Army Staff (COAS). President Asif Ali Zardari approved the decision on December 4, following recommendations from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, securing Munir's leadership for the next five years.​

The new CDF position, created under the recently ratified 27th Constitutional Amendment, aims to centralize command over the army, navy, and air force, replacing the former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. This comes after General Sahir Shamshad Mirza's retirement on November 27, addressing concerns over a potential leadership gap amid border tensions and internal security challenges.​

Munir, promoted to the rare rank of Field Marshal earlier in 2025—the first since Ayub Khan in 1965—now holds unprecedented sway over joint operations. His career highlights include leading the ISI from 2018 and spearheading economic initiatives like the Special Investment Facilitation Council to attract Gulf investments, though Pakistan grapples with sluggish growth.​

The appointment followed weeks of delays and speculation, with social media rife with memes questioning Munir's job security as his initial COAS term neared its November 29 end. Critics from Imran Khan's PTI labeled it a civilian power erosion, dubbing the reforms "Baku Amendments" over alleged foreign influence, while proponents hail it as a modernization step akin to India's Chief of Defence Staff model.​

Zardari's nod also extended Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu's tenure by two years from March 2026, signaling broader military stability. As Pakistan navigates economic pressures and regional rivalries, Munir's consolidated role could streamline defenses but raises questions about civil-military balance in the long term.​