Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday urged the public and media to avoid spreading “unnecessary and irresponsible speculation” about the pending notification for the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), assuring that the announcement will be made soon.
In a post on X, Asif confirmed that the process for issuing the notification has already begun and will be completed once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns to the country. He stressed that there is “no room for conjecture” as the matter is already underway.
The position of CDF was created through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which also abolished the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee after Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza retired on November 27. Parliament has approved Field Marshal Asim Munir for the new role, but the formal notification has not yet been released.
The notification was earlier expected on November 29, the day Munir’s original three-year tenure as Army Chief ended, but the announcement did not take place.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was scheduled to return on Saturday after a private visit, has extended his stay in the United Kingdom following medical tests in London. He arrived earlier at Luton Airport, where he was received by High Commissioner Dr Faisal and local PML-N representatives.
Sources say the premier decided to prolong his trip by one more day after undergoing medical examinations. He will now depart for Islamabad on Monday afternoon instead of Sunday.
