Munir becomes the first officer in Pakistan’s history to hold command of all three services while retaining operational control of the army. His elevation follows an earlier promotion this year to the rank of Field Marshal, cementing his position as the most powerful military figure in the country.
In a parallel decision, the government granted Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu a two-year extension, effective after his current term ends in March 2026.
The sweeping changes stem from the constitutional amendment passed by Parliament on November 12, which abolished the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and replaced it with the more authoritative CDF role. Under the new structure, the CDF commands Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and missile systems through the National Strategic Command (NSC)—a body that no longer operates directly under the Prime Minister’s National Command Authority. The Prime Minister will approve the NSC’s commander only on the recommendation of the CDF, with the post reserved exclusively for army officers.
The delayed notification of Munir’s appointment triggered political speculation. The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claimed the episode exposed the Prime Minister’s diminished authority over the military. PPP leader Raza Rabbani questioned whether an “unwritten veto” continued to influence national security decisions, while several retired generals termed the delay inappropriate.
Strategic concerns were voiced outside Pakistan as well. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned that the amendment risked undermining judicial independence, a claim Islamabad rejected as unfounded.
Munir, appointed Army Chief in November 2022, already had his original three-year term extended to five years under legislation passed last year. The new dual leadership role further consolidates his authority as Pakistan enters a period of political and institutional flux.
