RAWALPINDI (MNN); Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Monday reaffirmed that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but no one will be permitted to challenge its sovereignty, territorial integrity or national resolve.
Addressing officers from the army, navy and air force in Rawalpindi, the CDF stated that Pakistan remains invincible, safeguarded by committed soldiers and the steadfast determination of a united nation. He cautioned India against any miscalculation, warning that Pakistan’s next response would be even faster and more forceful.
He further noted that a clear message had been delivered to the Taliban regime, stressing that Kabul must choose between supporting the Fitna Al Khawarij or standing with Pakistan.
Field Marshal Munir described the establishment of the newly formed Defence Forces Headquarters as a historic structural reform. Given the evolving nature of threats, he highlighted the need for improved multi-domain operations under a unified tri-services framework. Each service, he said, will retain its distinct identity to ensure operational readiness, while the Defence Forces Headquarters will synchronise joint operations. Despite enhanced coordination at the top level, all three services will maintain their internal autonomy and organisational setups.
Earlier, a ceremony was held at the GHQ to honour the newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces. Field Marshal Munir received a guard of honour from joint contingents of the army, navy and air force. Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu were present as the tri-services contingent first saluted the naval and air chiefs before presenting a general salute to Field Marshal Munir.
Following his appointment as the country’s first CDF, he reiterated the significance of consolidating operational, administrative and strategic authority under the new constitutional framework. The restructuring comes through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which merges the offices of COAS and CDF, abolishes the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and transfers joint command responsibilities to the new office.
Changes to the Pakistan Army Act now define the tenure, reappointment and extension rules for the COAS-plus-CDF. These amendments also allow the president, on the prime minister’s advice, to reappoint or extend the CDF’s tenure by up to five years, creating legal space for Field Marshal Munir to remain in office until December 2035.
Field Marshal Munir became the 17th army chief upon assuming command on November 29, 2022. In 2024, the government extended the tenure of all service chiefs from three to five years, while allowing reappointments and extensions for up to five years.
