Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said that the notification regarding the appointment of the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) will be issued once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns to the country.
“There is unnecessary and irresponsible speculation regarding the CDF notification. Please note that the process has been initiated,” Asf said on the X social media platform.
“The Prime Minister will return shortly. The notification will be issued in due time. There is no room for guesswork. Period!” he added.
The CDF position, created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replaced the now abolished position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, which formally term on November 27.
Officials and observers had hoped that the new notification would coincide with the abolition of the CJCSC post, but November 29 was seen as a critical marker as it was the date on which the original three-year term of the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal, was completed. Asim Munirwas about to expire.
Asif’s statement came as he expired on November 29 without any notification being issued to formally appoint the country’s first CDF.
More to follow
