Asif terms speculation on CDF notification ‘irresponsible’, says it will be issued in due course

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif assured that the notification for the appointment of the Chief of Defence Forces will be issued soon, calling on the public and media to refrain from what he termed “unnecessary and irresponsible speculation.”

In a post on X on Sunday, Asif said the process for the notification had already begun and would be completed in due course, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was expected to return to the country shortly.

“There is unnecessary and irresponsible speculation about CDF notification. Please be informed that the process has been initiated. PM is returning shortly. Notification will be issued in due course of time. No room for any conjecturing. Period!” he wrote.

The post of CDF was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which also abolished the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee after the retirement of Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza on November 27.

Parliament has approved the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir to the newly established role, though the formal notification has yet to be issued.

The notification was initially expected on November 29, coinciding with the expiry of the original three-year tenure of Field Marshal Munir as Army Chief, but the announcement did not materialise.

Meanwhile, the prime minister—who was due to return on Saturday—has extended his stay in the United Kingdom following medical examinations in London. He arrived a day earlier on a private visit and was received at Luton Airport by High Commissioner Dr Faisal and local PML-N leaders.

Sources said Shehbaz Sharif underwent medical tests and decided to extend his visit by an additional day. He was originally scheduled to complete his four-day private trip and return to Pakistan on Sunday, but will now depart for Islamabad from London on Monday afternoon.