Army chief to serve as CDF, CJCSC abolished, CNSC appointed for 3-year term with PM approval
President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: PID
President Asif Ali Zardari has signed three laws related to the Pakistan Armed Forces, passed by both houses of parliament under the 27th constitutional amendment.
The President gave assent to the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025, making them Acts of Parliament.
صادرِ ورسلة Asif Ali Zardari has approved Pakistan Army (ترمیمی) Bill 2025, پاکستوار (ترمیمی) Bill 2025 and Pakistan Navy (ترمیمی) Bill 2025.@AAliZardari pic.twitter.com/7qDI2SAtjc
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) 15 November 2025
Read: COAS Asim Munir is to serve five years as CDF
Under the changes to the Army Act, the Army Chief will also serve as the Chief of the Defense Forces (CDF). The mandate of the CDF will commence from the date of the official notification. If a General is promoted to Field Marshal, they will serve under subsection 2. The Federal Government determines the duties and responsibilities of the Chief of Army Staff/CDF.
The bill abolishes the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) with effect from 27 November 2025. On the recommendation of the Army Chief/CDF, the Prime Minister will appoint the Chief of the National Strategic Command (CNSC) for a three-year term and set the terms and conditions of the position. Re-appointment for a further three years is permitted on the CDF’s recommendation and such extensions cannot be challenged in court.
Read more: COAS Asim Munir’s tenure to be reset after military command reforms
The amendments further state that retirement age, length of service and removal provisions under the Army Act will not apply to the CNSC, who will continue to serve in the Pakistan Army at the rank of General.
The 27th Constitutional Amendment represents a significant overhaul of Pakistan’s military command structure, redefining the hierarchy and responsibilities of the top military leadership.
The reforms aim to streamline decision-making, integrate multi-domain operations across the armed forces and improve coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force. The changes follow years of debate over civil-military relations and come amid a broader push to modernize Pakistan’s defense framework.
These changes centralize operational authority in the CDF while strengthening the prime minister’s role in appointments, reflecting a major restructuring of Pakistan’s military command hierarchy under the 27th constitutional amendment.
