Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the summary for the appointment of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Pakistan’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Following the approval, the summary has been forwarded to the Presidency for final confirmation.

Under the new structure, Field Marshal Asim Munir will simultaneously hold both key positions for a five-year term, marking a historic development in Pakistan’s defence leadership. As the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces, he will oversee a broader, integrated defence framework envisioned to strengthen inter-services coordination and national security mechanisms.

In a separate decision, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also approved a two-year extension in the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff. The extension will take effect upon the completion of his current five-year term in March 2026.

Both decisions reflect the government’s emphasis on continuity in military leadership and long-term strategic planning during a critical period for regional and domestic security.