Field Marshal Munir, who also serves as the Pakistan army chief, gained the authority under two new Acts—the Defence Forces Act, 2026 and the amended National Command Authority Act, 2010—approved Thursday by the National Assembly.
New Delhi: Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir now has sweeping authority over the country’s armed forces, including the power to retire, discharge or retain personnel and to alter prescribed retirement limits under a new defence act.
The Defence Forces Act applies retrospectively from 13 November, 2025, while the NCA amendments apply from 27 November.
Operational command of the armed forces gives the CDF authority over the country’s military operations.
Making the CDF the prime minister’s senior military adviser also gives the military leadership a central role in national security decision-making.
According to the draft of the law, the Chief of the Defense Forces shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as are necessary for “multidomain integration, operational cohesion, coordination and oversight of all matters which have joint, tri-services and strategic implications for the Armed Forces and national security of Pakistan”.
Field Marshal Munir, who also serves as the Pakistan army chief, gained the authority under two new Acts—the Defence Forces Act, 2026 and the amended National Command Authority Act, 2010—approved Thursday by the National Assembly. The measures significantly expand the statutory role of the CDF, an office created only last year after the 27th Constitutional Amendment Act.
New Delhi: Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Asim Munir now has sweeping authority over the country’s armed forces, including the power to retire, discharge or retain personnel and to alter prescribed retirement limits under a new defence act.
Now under these, CDF Munir may retire, release, accept or reject resignation of, or discharge from the service, or retain in service, or relax age or service limit of retirement of any person subject to the laws relating to the armed forces, but excluding those appointed under Article 243 of the Constitution—which includes Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces; the Chief of the Naval Staff; and the Chief of the Air Staff, appointed by the President on the advice of the PM.
While the federal government will make the rules needed to implement the Act, the CDF can issue directions and orders to enforce its provisions. The accompanying National Command Authority (Amendment) Bill 2026 replaces references to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in the 2010 law with references to the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces.
Because the CDF is constitutionally required to also be the army chief, Munir commands the Army, exercises operational command over the Navy and Air Force, and serves as the senior military adviser on matters linked to the country’s nuclear command structure.
The Defence Forces Act applies retrospectively from 13 November, 2025, while the NCA amendments apply from 27 November. Parliament approved both measures on 20 August, 2026, months after the dates from which they are deemed to have taken effect.
The concentration of these powers is significant. Operational command of the armed forces gives the CDF authority over the country’s military operations. The power to dismiss, retain or retire personnel gives the office considerable influence over military careers and the wider officer corps. Making the CDF the prime minister’s senior military adviser also gives the military leadership a central role in national security decision-making.
