Pakistan set to create new Chief of Defence Forces post, mirroring India’s CDS structure

Islamabad : In a move seen as directly inspired by India’s defence reforms, Pakistan has announced plans to create a new post titled Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) — a position akin to India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The decision comes months after India’s “Operation Sindhoor”, which exposed key gaps in Pakistan’s military coordination.

The Pakistan government on Saturday introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament, seeking to amend Article 243 of the Constitution — the section dealing with the armed forces and related matters. The amendment aims to ensure greater coordination among the three branches of the armed forces and establish a unified command structure.

Under the proposed amendment, the President of Pakistan will appoint both the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) based on the Prime Minister’s advice. The CDF, in consultation with the Prime Minister, will also appoint the Head of the National Strategic Command, who will be drawn from the Pakistan Army.

The bill specifies that individuals serving in the armed forces may be promoted to the ranks of Field Marshal, Air Marshal, or Admiral, with Field Marshals entitled to lifelong privileges. It also states that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee position will be phased out by November 27, 2025, marking a structural overhaul of Pakistan’s defence leadership.

Analysts believe the move was prompted by the lessons Pakistan learned from its brief but intense military confrontation with India earlier this year. Between May 7 and May 10, following India’s Operation Sindhoor—launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack—both sides engaged in fierce cross-border clashes before a ceasefire was reached.

The proposed creation of the CDF is being viewed as an attempt by Pakistan to modernize its military command, strengthen strategic coordination, and project parity with India’s defence framework. However, critics within Pakistan’s defence circles argue that the move may only replicate India’s model superficially without addressing the deeper issues of institutional inefficiency and inter-service rivalry.

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