COAS Asim Munir’s Tenure to Restart with New Appointment as Chief of Defence Forces

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir’s tenure will recommence following his appointment as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), according to a bill presented in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Speaking during the House session after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif introduced the bill to amend the Army Act, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the CDF’s term would be five years from the date of appointment.

He added that the NA passed amendments to the Army, Navy, and Air Force Acts after receiving cabinet approval. The bill specifies that for the Chief of the Army Staff, concurrently serving as Chief of Defence Forces under Article 243 of the Constitution, “the tenure under this section shall commence from the date of notification of the said office.”

This amendment implies that once the notification for the first appointment of the COAS and CDF is issued, the current tenure of the incumbent COAS will be deemed to have recommenced from the date of such notification.

The government will determine the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the COAS and CDF, including tasks related to multi-domain integration, restructuring, and optimal joint operations of the Armed Forces.

Additionally, on the recommendation of the army chief/CDF, the Prime Minister will appoint the National Strategic Command (NSC) Commander, who may be reappointed for a three-year term. The army chief will also have the authority to appoint a Vice Chief of Army Staff or Deputy Chief of Army Staff.

The proposed Army Act further states that the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished effective November 27.