Field Marshal Asim Munir Assumes Unified COAS-CDF Role

News Desk 

Rawalpindi: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir will officially hold the dual title of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) with effect from Friday, The News reported.

The unified title will be reflected in all official documents, military references, and media reporting. The move follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval on November 15 of the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy Amendment Bills 2025, which had been passed by parliament.

Under the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, the COAS will concurrently serve as the CDF for a five-year term. Field Marshal Munir’s tenure is set to restart from the date of the new notification. Article 243 provisions applicable to a Field Marshal will also apply to any general promoted to the rank.

The legislation allows the federal government to authorize the vice chief or deputy chief of army staff to exercise COAS powers under written orders issued on the recommendation of the CDF.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/10-key-takeaways-from-field-marshal-asim-munirs-address/

The bill also clarifies that the incumbent COAS’s tenure will be deemed to have recommenced from the date the first notification for the dual office is issued.

The federal government will now define the duties of the CDF, including multi-domain integration, restructuring, and ensuring jointness across the armed forces.

A significant structural change introduced by the bill is the abolition of the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), replaced by the Commander of the National Strategic Command.

The Prime Minister may appoint the commander from serving Pakistan Army generals for a three-year term, based on the COAS/CDF’s recommendation.

The post of CJCSC has now ceased to exist under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, with General (retd) Sahir Shamshad Mirza retiring on Wednesday as the last officer to hold the position.