FM Asim Munir appointed as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces

Asim Munir — already Chief of Army Staff — has been approved as the country’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a newly created role combining oversight of all armed services.

The appointment, approved by the President and Prime Minister, gives Munir a five-year term as CDF.

Under this role, he will concurrently keep his position as Army Chief — making him the most powerful military official in Pakistan.

The move comes amid recent regional tensions with India and is viewed as a major restructuring in the military’s command structure.

Critics, including political opponents, have raised concerns that the extended powers and lifetime-in-uniform clause may weaken democratic oversight.