Pakistan has introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment, creating the powerful post of Chief of Defence Forces. Field Marshal Asim Munir is set to lead the unified command, a move inspired by lessons from India’s Operation Sindoor conflict.
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ISLAMABAD: In a major development aimed at strengthening military coordination and unified command, Pakistan has introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, establishing the new post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
The amendment, tabled in the Senate on Saturday by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, seeks to modify Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs matters related to the armed forces. The move marks one of the most significant overhauls of Pakistan’s military command structure in decades.
Key Features of the 27th Constitutional Amendment
Under the proposed changes, the President of Pakistan will appoint both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Chief of Defence Forces on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The COAS, who will concurrently serve as the Chief of Defence Forces, will appoint the head of the National Strategic Command in consultation with the Prime Minister. The head of the Strategic Command will be selected from the Pakistan Army.
The amendment also empowers the government to promote officers to the ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet. Notably, the rank of Field Marshal will be lifelong, allowing officers holding this title to retain it permanently.
In addition, the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished on November 27, 2025, effectively merging its responsibilities into the new unified command structure.
The India-Pakistan Conflict
According to local media reports, the creation of the new post was influenced by lessons learned from the four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025, following India’s Operation Sindoor.
The operation, launched on May 7, 2025, targeted terror infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The intense clashes lasted until May 10, when both sides agreed to cease hostilities.
Indian Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh claimed that at least a dozen Pakistani aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, were destroyed or damaged in the strikes. Following the conflict, Pakistan promoted Army Chief General Asim Munir to Field Marshal, only the second officer in the country’s history to receive the title.
Beyond military restructuring, the 27th Amendment Bill also proposes to:
- Establish a Federal Constitutional Court
- Revise the judicial appointment process for high courts
- Alter the threshold for forming provincial cabinets
Minister Tarar clarified that the bill consists of 49 clauses, covering five key subject areas.
Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani referred the bill to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice for review and possible joint deliberation. A report will later be presented to the full House.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Zafar criticized the government’s approach, arguing that debating the constitutional amendment was “inappropriate” given the vacant position of the opposition leader in the Senate.
He said the opposition had received the draft only on Saturday and had not yet read it in full, urging that the entire Senate act as a committee of the whole to examine the bill thoroughly.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chaired the cabinet meeting via video link from Azerbaijan, gave full backing to the bill.
According to state-run PTV News, the federal cabinet approved the draft amendment and “welcomed it to the fullest extent.”
Click Here to Read More Reports on Operation Sindoor