Field Marshal Asim Munir has officially taken charge as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a newly created position established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment last month. In this historic development, he will simultaneously continue to serve as the Chief of Army Staff, placing him at the helm of all branches of the country’s armed forces.
Ministry of Defence CDF Notification issued today after approval from both PM and the President.
Filed Marshal Asim Munir becomes Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Force., pic.twitter.com/9NfuUINOsa— Waseem Abbasi (@Wabbasi007) December 5, 2025
Commissioned in 1986 into the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, Field Marshal Munir graduated with the 17th Officers Training Course at Mangla. Over nearly four decades of service, he has built a distinguished career marked by leadership roles across operational, intelligence, and administrative domains.
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After becoming Pakistan’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces, FM Syed Asim Munir spoke informally with journalists at the President House confident and clear:
“Pakistan is going to fly high from here on. Everything is getting back to normal.”
A new chapter… pic.twitter.com/3UU0Lrd0h6
— Taymur Malik (@BlueMist911) December 4, 2025
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Looking back at Munir’s early life
Throughout his military journey, Munir has served as directing staff at the Command and Staff College in Quetta, brigade major of an infantry brigade in Kel, and general staff officer (grade-2) at the Chief of General Staff Secretariat. He also held the post of chief of staff of Mangla Corps and later served as Quartermaster General at the General Headquarters (GHQ).
His command experience includes leading the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, heading an infantry brigade, and serving as force commander in the Northern Areas, Gilgit. Munir has also occupied two of the country’s most sensitive intelligence posts — Director General of Military Intelligence (MI) and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). After completing his tenure as ISI chief, he was appointed Corps Commander Gujranwala before returning to GHQ as Quartermaster General, his final role prior to becoming army chief.
Academically accomplished, Field Marshal Munir is a graduate of Fuji School in Japan, Command and Staff College in Quetta, Malaysian Armed Forces College in Kuala Lumpur, and the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad. He also holds an MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from NDU.
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Notably, he is the first army chief to receive the prestigious Sword of Honour. Beyond his professional achievements, Munir is known as a keen sportsman, an avid reader, an enthusiastic traveller, and a Hafiz-e-Quran — qualities that add further depth to the profile of Pakistan’s first CDF.