Islamabad: Pakistan has overhauled its national security structure, marking the largest change since 1976. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee has been abolished. The Army Chief will now serve as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) with expanded powers.
The new system merges command authority under the Army Chief, who will oversee joint operations across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The change allows him to manage multi-domain operations, structural reforms, and integration without parliamentary approval. Critics warn this centralizes too much power in one office, reducing checks and balances.
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The abolished chairman role had represented all three services for decades. Its removal ends nearly fifty years of joint leadership continuity. Experts note that modern warfare, involving cyber, drone, and space operations, requires such reforms but emphasize that execution and power concentration remain controversial.
The new National Strategic Command will supervise nuclear assets, but appointments, tenure, and extensions will rely heavily on the CDF’s recommendations. Legal experts warn that the law limits judicial review, raising questions about civil-military balance and constitutional safeguards. Critics argue the changes could weaken the decision-making role of the Navy and Air Force.
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Proponents claim the reforms bring clarity and efficiency. However, former military leaders stress that strong institutions matter more than individual office-holders. Analysts caution that modern joint forces succeed when authority is shared and civilian oversight remains robust. Pakistan now faces the challenge of balancing centralization with joint-force effectiveness.