Pakistan Confirms Field Marshal Asim Munir As First Chief Of Defense Forces; Air Chief’s Term Extended

Field Marshal Asim Munir has been confirmed as Pakistan’s first chief of defense forces, a five-year appointment intended to strengthen coordination among the army, navy and air force. The government also extended Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar’s term by two years. Munir, already promoted to field marshal, will retain lifetime uniform status and legal protections under a new law — a provision criticized by opposition figures as undermining democratic oversight. The move follows a recent four-day confrontation with India that ended after reported U.S.-facilitated efforts secured a ceasefire.

10:44 PM, 12/04/2025Security

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s government has formally confirmed Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first chief of defense forces, a newly created role designed to strengthen coordination between the army, navy and air force.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said a recommendation naming Munir to serve simultaneously as chief of army staff and chief of defense forces was sent to President Asif Ali Zardari, who approved the appointment. Official documents state the post carries a five-year term.

Extension For Air Chief

The prime minister also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar, the government statement said.

Background And Context

Munir rose to national prominence earlier this year after Islamabad said it had prevailed in a four-day confrontation with India. The clashes in May involved reciprocal strikes on military positions following Indian attacks that New Delhi said targeted militants linked to the killing of 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. The two sides stepped back from a wider conflict after reports of U.S.-brokered efforts that led to a full and immediate ceasefire; that truce has largely held since then.

Promotion And Controversy

Months before this confirmation, Munir was promoted to the rank of field marshal, becoming only the second officer in Pakistan’s history to hold the title — the first was Gen. Ayub Khan, leader during the 1965 war with India. A law passed by parliament last month stipulates that Munir will remain in uniform for life and grants him immunity from arrest. Critics, including the party of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, say those provisions confer sweeping powers that weaken democratic oversight.

Military Role In Pakistan: The armed forces have been a dominant institution in Pakistan, ruling the country for roughly half of its history and playing a central role in national security since the country allied with the United States in the post-2001 war on terror. The security forces have also been engaged in operations against local and foreign militants, and thousands of civilians, soldiers and police have died in militant attacks over the past two decades.

Officials say the creation of the chief of defense forces post aims to improve joint planning and operational cohesion across the services — a key priority given regional tensions and internal security challenges.