ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that the formal notification for the newly created post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is in process and will be released soon, urging the public to ignore speculation.
In a post on X, the minister criticised the circulation of conjecture surrounding the notification, stressing that the government would issue it “at the proper time” and that there was “no basis for further rumours.” He also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to return to Pakistan shortly.
Asif’s remarks come amid sustained uncertainty over the timing of the notification. The CDF post was established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and Parliament has already approved the appointment of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to assume the role. However, the official notification formalising the appointment has yet to be released.
Observers earlier believed the government would notify the CDF position simultaneously with the abolishment of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) post. Many had expected November 29 the date marking the conclusion of Field Marshal Munir’s initial three-year term as Chief of Army Staff to be the key decision point. The day passed without any formal announcement.
Legal analysts have since pointed out that, without a new notification, questions may arise over whether Field Marshal Munir’s earlier tenure has technically lapsed. Government officials, however, maintain that the notification is imminent and that speculation serves no productive purpose.
