ISLAMABAD: Key points under the proposed amendments to Article 243 in the 27th Constitutional Amendment focus on the appointment of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and the Commander of Strategic Forces.
The main purpose of appointing the CDF is to implement a coordinated, multi-dimensional defense strategy aligned with the changing nature of warfare, with a particular emphasis on ground operations in Pakistan’s context.
Ground strategy remains central to Pakistan’s defense policy. India’s Hindu nationalist extremism and the “Akhand Bharat” ideology pose a persistent threat along the eastern border, while the western border has faced over two decades of insurgency fueled by Indian-backed militants and Afghan Taliban networks. Ground responses play a key role in managing all security challenges.
Given the rapid evolution of simultaneous multi-domain operations—land, sea, air, space, cyber, and information—Pakistan’s armed forces require an operational command with the authority to plan, direct, and execute military strategy. The current system does not meet this need. Establishing the CDF will centralize operational planning, making the Army Chief’s office the hub of integrated national defense and development strategy.
Beyond general defense, the armed forces need improved coordination, efficiency, and reduction of overlapping structures in logistics, infrastructure, and support systems to enhance military capability.
The appointment of the CDF is not only essential under modern military norms but also a long-standing requirement to address contemporary warfare challenges effectively.
Regarding the separate Commander of Strategic Forces, officials say it is not a topic for public debate. However, similar structures exist in all nuclear-armed militaries worldwide. Pakistan’s move aims to strengthen command-and-control, making it more integrated and effective.
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Officials also clarified widespread misconceptions about lifetime appointments for Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air, or Admiral of the Fleet. These are military ranks, not positions, and their tenure as office-bearers is always defined at the time of appointment. Military ranks generally remain for life unless revoked through legal or administrative procedures. The proposed amendment only clarifies this procedure.
