Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as the first Chief of Defense Forces for 5 years. Munir is the Army Chief from November 2022. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar has also been given an extension of 2 years.
Islamabad. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday approved the appointment of Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defense Forces for five years. President Zardari gave official approval to the proposal presented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which he was formally asked to appoint Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first CDF.
Munir became Army Chief for three years in November 2022
Last month, the Pakistani Parliament passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which provided for the creation of the post of CDF. Its purpose is to bring unity in the command and take immediate decisions in any difficult situation. Let us tell you that Field Marshal Asim Munir was made the Army Chief in November 2022 for 3 years, but later his tenure was extended for 5 years in 2024.
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar got extension
A statement issued by the President’s Office of Pakistan said, “President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointment of Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir as the Chief of Defense Forces for the next 5 years. According to sources, Shahbaz Sharif had recommended Munir to be given both the posts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defense Forces. Let us tell you that for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu. A two-year extension has also been approved. This increase will be effective after the end of his current 5-year tenure in March 2026.
Who is Asim Munir?
Asim Munir, born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, started his military career in 1986. He got entry into the Pakistani Army through the Officers Training School Programme. On November 24, 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed him the Army Chief. Earlier, Munir commanded the Field Corps in Gujranwala from June 2019 to October 2021.
How educated is Munir?
Munir’s father Syed Sarwar was the principal of FG Technical High School, Rawalpindi and Imam of Masjid al-Quraysh in Dheri Hasnabad. Munir’s early education was from the Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Tajveed. Later he completed his graduation from National Defense University, Islamabad. From here he took MPhil degree in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management.