The newly formed office of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) was formally inaugurated today, the media wing of the armed forces announced.
At a press briefing, the official spokesperson Lt‑Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General Inter‑Services Public Relations (ISPR), congratulated all stakeholders on this historic milestone. He described the step as vital for strengthening command, coordination, and the overall defence framework of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Earlier this week, President Asif Ali Zardari signed off on the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as the first-ever Chief of Defence Forces, in accordance with the newly adopted 27th Constitutional Amendment and associated legislative changes. Munir will simultaneously continue his role as Chief of Army Staff under the new structure.
The office’s inauguration formally replaces the long-standing institution of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), ending decades of tri-service coordination under that body. The new CDF-cum-COAS model is designed to unify command across the army, navy, and air force, according to official statements.
At the same time, the President also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu as head of the air force.
In his address, the DG ISPR reiterated the armed forces’ commitment to national security, stability, and readiness. He called the inauguration a step forward in modernizing Pakistan’s defence architecture and ensuring effective coordination among all service branches.
