ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has approved the Defense Forces Act 2026 to operationalize the newly established unified military command structure. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the draft legislation will now be presented to parliament for approval during its ongoing session.
This legislative move follows the passage of the landmark 27th Constitutional Amendment by Pakistan’s parliament in November 2025. The amendment introduced significant changes to Article 243 of the constitution, establishing the post of Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and abolishing the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). This restructuring empowers the army chief to serve as the constitutionally recognized head of the country’s armed forces.
The Defense Forces Act 2026 is designed as a continuation of the constitutional amendments, aiming to define the administrative framework and operational responsibilities of the Chief of Defense Forces and the CDF Headquarters. The cabinet’s approval took place during a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, paving the way for the bill’s formal submission to the legislature.
The legislation aims to define the relevant administrative matters concerning the office of the Chief of Defense Forces and the Chief of Defense Forces Headquarters, the PMO stated in an official press release. With the cabinet’s greenlight, the draft act is set to undergo parliamentary debate and voting.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir officially assumed the role of Chief of Defense Forces in December 2025, following the signing of the constitutional amendments into law. He concurrently retains his position as Chief of Army Staff. The new unified command structure is intended to centralize operational planning, war-fighting doctrine, and military modernization across all service branches. This shift aligns with global trends in advanced militaries, where unified commands oversee land, air, maritime, cyber, and space domains rather than relying on isolated service silos.
In addition to the Defense Forces Act, the cabinet also approved amendments to the National Command Authority (NCA) Act 2010. The NCA is a premier government body chaired by the prime minister responsible for overseeing nuclear security and strategic assets. The PMO noted that these amendments were deemed necessary following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, though specific details of the changes were not immediately detailed. The amended NCA Act 2010 will also be submitted to parliament for approval.
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