Khawaja Asif confirms CDF notification process underway, to be issued soon

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the process for the notification of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has begun.

In a statement on X, Khawaja Asif said that speculation regarding the CDF notification is being circulated.

He added that the CDF notification will be issued at an appropriate time and there is no room for speculations on the matter.

Khawaja Asif also mentioned that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be returning to the country soon.

There is unnecessary and irresponsible speculation about CDF notification. Please be informed that the process has been initiated. PM is returning shortly. Notification will be issued in due course of time. No room for any conjecturing. Period!

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 30, 2025

His statement comes amid ongoing speculation. By emphasizing that the notification will be issued at the appropriate time and dismissing further speculation, the minister aims to maintain stability and prevent misinformation.

It should be noted that following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the position of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) was created. With parliamentary approval, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has been appointed to this position; however, the official notification has not yet been issued.

Officials and analysts had anticipated that the new notification would coincide with the abolition of the CJCSC post, with November 29 seen as a key date marking the end of Field Marshal Asim Munir’s original three-year tenure as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

However, November 29 passed without the issuance of the formal notification to appoint the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

Some legal experts cautioned that, in the absence of a new notification, Field Marshal Munir’s tenure could be interpreted as having technically expired.