ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday dismissed speculation surrounding the appointment of Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), saying the process has already begun and the formal notification will be issued “in due course”.

“There is unnecessary and irresponsible speculation about the CDF notification,” Asif said in a statement, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is returning soon and key decisions related to the new post will follow. “The process has been initiated… No room for any conjecturing. Period!”

The CDF position — created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment — replaces the now-abolished Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The role will unify top-level defence oversight across the Army, Air Force and Navy for the first time.

There is unnecessary and irresponsible speculation about CDF notification. Please be informed that the process has been initiated. PM is returning shortly. Notification will be issued in due course of time. No room for any conjecturing. Period!

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 30, 2025

Although the original tenure of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir ended on November 29, recently passed amendments extending service chiefs’ terms to five years mean there is no immediate gap in command. However, officials note that a separate, explicit notification is still required to assign Munir the dual-hatted role of CDF.

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Security sources say the delay reflects ongoing deliberations over the commencement date of the new term and the extent of operational authority the Chief of Defence Forces will exercise over the other services.

The CDF notification is also expected to be issued before the appointment of a new commander for the National Strategic Command — a four-star position that will oversee Pakistan’s nuclear forces under the restructured defence framework.