ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said the notification for the appointment of Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) would be issued “in due course of time,” confirming that the procedural process had formally begun.
In a post on X, Asif said: “Please be informed that the process has been initiated. PM is returning shortly. Notification will be issued in due course of time.” His remarks came as expectations rose following the abolition of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) office, which formally ended on November 27 under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
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
The newly created CDF position replaces the CJCSC and will be a dual-hatted role combined with that of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Officials and observers had anticipated the notification to coincide with the structural changes in the higher defence setup, especially with November 29 marking the original end of the three-year term of COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir.
However, the date passed without any official announcement, prompting speculation about delays in the transition process. Asif’s statement suggests the notification will follow Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s return from London, where he is currently on an official visit. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the prime minister is expected to return on Monday.
Legal and Procedural Questions
Some legal experts earlier argued that without a fresh notification, Field Marshal Munir’s tenure could be considered lapsed. However, amendments to the Pakistan Army Act in 2024 extended the tenure of service chiefs to five years and included a “deeming clause”, effectively absorbing the change into the Act and rendering a separate extension notification unnecessary.
Still, security and legal officials widely agree that the creation of the CDF post requires its own formal notification. Under the 27th Amendment and subsequent changes to the Army Act, the army chief will concurrently serve as CDF for a five-year term.
Unresolved Debates and Delays
The delay has also been interpreted as evidence of internal debates within the government. Sources familiar with the discussions say one unresolved matter concerns the effective start date of Field Marshal Munir’s five-year term — whether it should be counted from November 2022, when he assumed command, or from November 2025, as speculated after the new legislation.
Another sensitive issue under consideration is the scope of operational authority the CDF will hold over the Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy.
The government recently fast-tracked the 27th Amendment through parliament, but the notification delay has caused unease within senior military circles, complicating what was intended to be a smooth shift to the new defence structure.
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Additionally, the appointment of the commander of the National Strategic Command — a new four-star role taking over nuclear responsibilities previously held by the CJCSC — remains pending and is expected only after the CDF notification is issued.
