The government has issued formal notifications appointing Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a five-year term and extending the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu as head of the Pakistan Air Force.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the notifications were issued after approval from President Asif Ali Zardari.

Asim Munir, who currently serves as the Chief of Army Staff, has been concurrently appointed the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces for a period of five years.

The ministry also confirmed the extension of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu’s service. His tenure as the Chief of Air Staff has been extended by two years, effective from March 19, 2026. The notification was issued under Article 243 of the Constitution and Section 10-B of the Pakistan Air Force Act.

Officials said the president approved the summary forwarded by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had recommended Field Marshal Asim Munir for the posts of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces.

The notifications formalise decisions taken earlier, when the president endorsed the prime minister’s recommendations regarding both the appointment of the Chief of Defence Forces and the extension of the air chief.

PM congratulates

PM Shehbaz, in a post on X, again congratulated Field Marshal Munir on his “historic” appointment.

“As the sentinel of our nation’s security, his leadership has been pivotal in guiding our brave armed forces to a decisive victory in the battle for truth,” he said.

“The people of Pakistan will always remember his bold and courageous leadership in wartime, that unified the armed forces, galvanised the entire nation and secured a historic victory for our homeland,” he said.

He also congratulated the air chief marshal. “Under his exemplary command, the Pakistan Air Force destroyed seven enemy aircraft and sophisticated missile defence systems with unmatched professionalism and reinforced Pakistan’s air superiority,” he said in an apparent reference to the May conflict with India.

“All national institutions stand united for the defence, development, and prosperity of Pakistan,” he said, adding that “together we will make our country’s defence truly invincible”.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also congratulated Field Marshal Munir and ACM Babar.

Those who gave the nation a “historic win”, the nation was today honouring them in admission of their “endless service”, Asif posted on X.