Pakistan appoints Asim Munir as First Chief of Defence Forces; and with this he gets Pakistans nuke button
Munir, as CDF, controls the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Pakistan’s nuclear and missile systems via the National Strategic Command
PTC Web Desk: Pakistan has formally appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a powerful new military position that consolidates command over all three branches of the armed forces. The appointment, made under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recommendation and approved by President Asif Ali Zardari, is set for a five-year term.
The CDF role not only gives Munir authority over the Army, Navy, and Air Force but also puts him in charge of the National Strategic Command, responsible for Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and missile systems. This effectively makes Munir the most powerful military official in the country.
According to the President’s office, Munir will simultaneously serve as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) while holding the CDF position. The new legal provisions grant him protections similar to those of the President, including lifelong immunity from prosecution. This immunity also extends to the Navy and Air Force chiefs.
The creation of the CDF role marks a shift in civil-military relations in Pakistan. Earlier, the federal government had the authority to approve senior military appointments, such as the Vice Chief of Army Staff. Under the new system, the CDF can recommend these appointments, significantly reducing civilian oversight.
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country with over 240 million people, has a long history of oscillating between civilian and military rule. While the nation has been under civilian governments since Pervez Musharraf stepped down in 2008, the military continues to exert substantial influence over politics and the economy. Analysts describe the current governance as a “hybrid rule” shared between civilian and military leadership.
The appointment of Munir comes after extensive speculation over the Sharif government’s willingness to consolidate military power in his hands. His elevation to Field Marshal and simultaneous holding of both COAS and CDF posts makes him the first in Pakistan’s history to achieve this unique combination of rank and authority. He is only the second Field Marshal in the country’s history after General Ayub Khan, who led Pakistan during the 1965 war with India.
The CDF position was established last month through the 27th Amendment to the Constitution, which replaced the previous Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The amendment centralises military command and enhances the role of Pakistan’s top military official, giving Munir unprecedented authority.
With this appointment, Field Marshal Asim Munir emerges as Pakistan’s single most powerful military leader in decades, overseeing both conventional forces and the nation’s nuclear capabilities.