ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected what he called “unnecessary and irresponsible speculations” surrounding the upcoming appointment of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
In a statement issued on X, the minister clarified that the formal process for the CDF appointment has already begun.
The notification for newly created chief of defence forces was due on November 29 which has already passed. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is returning to the country shortly, and once he is back, the official notification for the new CDF will be issued at the appropriate time. The prime minister, who was due to return on Saturday last, had extended his stay in the United Kingdom following medical examinations in London. He arrived a day earlier on a private visit and was received at Luton Airport by High Commissioner Dr Faisal and local PML-N leaders.
Khawaja Asif stressed that there is “no room for conjecture or unfounded commentary” on the matter, urging the public and media to avoid spreading speculation. Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is currently the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), will also be appointed as the CDF — the post created after the abolishment of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in the amended Army Act.
The tenure of the COAS will also start for five years with the issuance of a new notification. The provisions of Article 243 of the Constitution, applicable to a Field Marshal, shall apply where a General is promoted to the rank. COAS Asim Munir was elevated to the rank of field marshal — Pakistan’s second and the first in more than six decades — following the country’s resounding victory over India in the May war.
The government has to issue another notification for the appointment of the commander of the National Strategic Command, a new four-star military position created by amending the article 243 of the Constitution under 27th amendment to assume the nuclear command role previously exercised by the CJCSC.
Office of CJCSC has already been abolished through the 27th amendment.
Top officials believe the appointment of commander strategic command force will be made only after the CDF notification is issued.
Monday (December 1) is the most crucial day for the issuance of both the notifications.
