Govt mulls creating ‘Commander of Defence Forces’ post under 27th Amendment

The government is considering introducing a new title — Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) — under proposed amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution as part of the 27th Constitutional Amendment aimed at reforming the country’s defence and judicial structures.

According to reports, the move seeks to ensure greater coordination and unified command among Pakistan’s three armed services. The proposal reportedly stems from lessons learned during recent Pakistan-India war scenarios and the evolving demands of modern warfare.

While the official draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment has not yet been made public, its key provisions have surfaced, including revisions to Article 243, which currently states that “the Federal Government shall have control and command of the Armed Forces” and that “the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces shall vest in the President.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on November 5 that consultations were underway to review the laws governing the armed forces. “Consultations on amending Article 243 are ongoing […] defence requirements have changed,” he told Geo News, adding that the process would proceed through consensus.