Army Chief Pakistan | Takes on Unified COAS-CDF Role: What It Means for Pakistan’s Military Structure
As of 28 November 2025, Field Marshal Asim Munir will officially hold a unified leadership position — serving simultaneously as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). This consolidation of top military command roles represents a major structural realignment in Pakistan’s armed forces.
What Has Changed: Unified Title and Expanded Role
- According to the newly passed Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, the COAS will now concurrently serve as CDF for a term of five years.
- All official documents, military correspondence, and media references will reflect the unified title “COAS-CDF” going forward.
- With the unified role, Asim Munir’s tenure is effectively reset from the date of new notification.
Institutional Reorganization: What the Law Introduces
The 2025 amendment not only merges the top leadership posts but also restructures related command frameworks:
| Previous Structure | New Structure (Post-Amendment) |
|---|---|
| COAS and a separate CDF / Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) / Joint Chiefs structure | Single COAS-CDF position; post of CJCSC abolished |
| Separate chiefs for Army, Navy, Air Force with overarching joint oversight via CJCSC | Unified command under COAS-CDF, with a new post of Commander of the National Strategic Command replacing CJCSC |
| Tenures based on earlier service terms | COAS-CDF term fixed for 5 years from notification date |
Under this reorganization, the federal government will define the roles and responsibilities of the CDF — including oversight of multi-domain integration, jointness across armed forces, and structural reforms.
Moreover, provisions under Article 243 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which apply to a Field Marshal, will now also apply to any General promoted to that rank under similar circumstances.
Significance: Why This Move Matters
- Unified Command & Efficiency: Merging COAS and CDF can streamline decision-making, reduce bureaucratic layers, and bring clearer lines of command — especially important for joint operations across Army, Navy, Air Force.
- Strategic Flexibility: With a unified leadership, the military can respond more cohesively to internal and external security challenges, and adapt to evolving threat environments.
- Institutional Shift: Abolishing the CJCSC post signals a major change in how Pakistan’s defence structure is configured. The new role of National Strategic Command may reshape strategic planning and execution.
- Stability in Leadership: A fixed 5-year term provides continuity at the top, which can help maintain long-term strategic goals without frequent leadership changes.
What’s Next — What to Watch
- The federal government will issue formal notifications detailing CDF’s duties and the powers delegated to other high-ranking officers.
- Implementation of the National Strategic Command, and appointment of its commander, which will redefine joint-forces structure.
- Monitoring how this consolidation affects civil–military relations, operational responsiveness, and defence policy decision-making over the coming years.
The unification of COAS and CDF under Field Marshal Asim Munir marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s defence architecture — reflecting both institutional consolidation and a new strategic direction for the armed forces.
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