Pakistan codifies new chief of defence role, ending joint chiefs era

Pakistan's legislature enacted two statutes in August that legally define the powers of the newly created Chief of Defence Forces, a role first introduced by the 27th constitutional amendment last November. The Defence Forces of Pakistan Act, 2026 and the amendment to the National Command Authority Act, 2010 replace the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee with a Defence Forces Headquarters headed by Field Marshal Asim Munir, who continues as army chief.

The CDF now holds operational command and control of all three services and reports directly to the federal government, while the National Strategic Command must be filled by an army officer, excluding navy and air force candidates. Critics argue the reforms cement an army-centric hierarchy and could erode the autonomy of the navy and air force, as well as weaken civilian checks on the military. Supporters contend the legislation simply gives legal effect to a constitutional change already approved by parliament.