Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the appointment summary of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, confirming his selection as Chief of Army Staff and Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces, strengthening national security leadership under the Asim Munir defence appointment.
The Prime Minister forwarded the approved summary to the Presidency, which will issue the official notification after completing constitutional procedures. This marks one of the most significant defence leadership decisions in recent years.
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According to government officials, Field Marshal Asim Munir will serve a five-year term. His position as Chief of Defence Forces is newly established, aimed at improving coordination among Pakistan’s armed forces at the highest level.
The appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir creates a unified leadership role designed to enhance joint military planning, streamline decision-making, and ensure all defence branches operate under a central strategic framework.
Senior officials described the elevation as a milestone that formalizes military integration efforts. The new structure is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s long-term security, regional defence posture, and overall operational readiness across all major services.
READ: Govt promotes COAS Gen Asim Munir to Field Marshal rank
The Asim Munir defence appointment has been welcomed by defence analysts, who believe the expanded role will help Pakistan modernize its security framework and respond more effectively to evolving internal and external challenges.
Alongside this appointment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, who currently heads the Pakistan Air Force.
The extension will take effect once Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu completes his existing five-year term in March 2026, ensuring continued leadership stability within the Air Force.
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Officials said the decision to extend the Air Chief’s tenure aligns with the government’s approach to maintaining experienced command-level continuity during an important phase of defence modernization and capability development.
Both appointments are part of a broader effort to strengthen Pakistan’s defence leadership, enhance institutional coordination, and ensure stability across the country’s military structure over the coming years.
