Pakistan enters new era of military command

Pakistan’s military is poised to enter a historic new chapter with a sweeping overhaul of its command structure.

On November 27, 2025, the nation’s three armed forces - the Army, Air Force, and Navy - will unite under their first-ever Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Simultaneously, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), will formally retire.

This transformation follows the 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed on November 13, which amended Article 243 and revised the Army Act, abolishing the constitutional status of the CJCSC and establishing a unified “command of command” system for all three services. After nearly five decades, the CJCSC institutional title is officially being retired.

In the latest episode of On My Radar, Kamran Khan highlighted the significance of this shift, explaining how the new CDF post consolidates command over the Army, Air Force, Navy and Strategic Planning Division (SPD), which previously reported to the CJCSC.

Historically, the CJCSC served as a top coordinator across the three forces, aligning strategy, planning, procurement, and operations while heading the Joint Staff Headquarters (JSHQ) and advising the Prime Minister and National Command Authority on security and nuclear matters. The 27th Amendment not only restructures the military hierarchy but also directly reshapes Pakistan’s strategic command.

From CJCSC legacy to unified command

The post of CJCSC was first introduced in March 1976 when Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto appointed General Muhammad Sharif. Over the decades, 18 officers have held the position, 15 of them from the Army, with only two naval officers and a single Air Force officer having served.

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the outgoing CJCSC, brought extensive operational experience to the role, having commanded the Army’s 10th Corps and serving as Chief of General Staff, Director General of Military Operations and Adjutant General. He also played an active role in the intra-Afghan dialogues leading up to the Doha Agreement.

With the creation of the CDF post, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir assumes full unity of command directing not just the Army but also the Air Force, Navy and the Joint Strategic Planning apparatus.

His five-year tenure as Army Chief will now be counted under his CDF role, which comes with lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution and permanent uniformed status. Removal from office will require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The heads of the Air Force and Navy will also retain lifelong privileges and rank-based status.

The amendment further grants the CDF authority to recommend appointments for the Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC), which safeguards Pakistan’s nuclear assets. Such appointments are for three years, extendable for another term, and are legally unchallengeable.

Defense analysts suggest the unified command will strengthen strategic integration and operational efficiency, while Field Marshal Munir’s global reputation in warfare planning and battlefield strategy already underscores his leadership credentials.

Global recognition

The timing of this structural change is notable. Just ten days after Pakistan’s recent victory over India, the Army Chief was elevated to Field Marshal, reflecting his pivotal role in decision-making. Over the past five months, he has met with several world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Abdullah of Jordan, China’s President Xi Jinping, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

In the aftermath of the Iran-Israel conflict, he has also held three meetings with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian. In addition, he has played a key role in defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and trade deals with the U.S.

Field Marshal Munir’s leadership is being recognized internationally in the context of Pakistan’s role in the Gaza peace plan, new dynamics in Afghanistan, and emerging geo-strategic and economic relations with the U.S. Domestically, some critics have raised questions about the reforms, questioning whether the new command structure strengthens strategic coordination or risks creating future tensions, and why it was introduced despite the previous system’s wartime effectiveness.

November 27, 2025, marks a historic turning point for the Pakistan Army. The 27th Amendment formalizes the establishment’s supremacy within the constitutional framework, at a time when the country’s economy is striving to recover.

Although economic responsibilities do not formally fall under the CDF, Field Marshal Munir is considered the country’s most influential decision-maker. He actively engages with the business community, advocating reforms such as reducing federal debt, improving irrigation systems, constructing new dams, and promoting innovation in agriculture through a “Green Revolution.”

With extraordinary influence and resources at his disposal, Field Marshal Munir envisions a Pakistan that is both strategically strong and economically robust. His legacy will not only be measured on the battlefield but also by how effectively he leverages Pakistan’s geostrategic position to boost national development, leaving an enduring imprint on the nation’s history.