Article 243 of the Constitution of Pakistan: Command of the Armed Forces
The full guide — the article’s text after the 27th Amendment, what each clause means, who commands the forces today, and how it connects to Articles 245, 248 and 257.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
Article 243 of the Constitution of Pakistan — titled “Command of Armed Forces” — lays down who controls the military. Its core rule: the Federal Government has control and command of the Armed Forces, while the Supreme Command vests in the President. The President appoints the three service chiefs on the advice of the Prime Minister. After the 27th Constitutional Amendment (2025), the Chief of the Army Staff serves concurrently as Chief of the Defence Forces, the office of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished (27 November 2025), and five-star officers were given constitutional protection for life.
Article number
Clauses (post-27th Amdt)
Service chiefs
27th Amendment
Complete guide
In this guide
The law
Article 243: the constitutional text (summary)
The article as it stands after the 27th Amendment — the version in force today.
Article 243 sits in Part XII (Miscellaneous), Chapter 2 (Armed Forces) of the Constitution. In substance it provides:
- (1) The Federal Government shall have control and command of the Armed Forces.
- (2) The Supreme Command of the Armed Forces shall vest in the President.
- (3) The President may, subject to law, raise and maintain the Military, Naval and Air Forces and their reserves, and grant commissions in them.
- (4) The President shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Chief of the Army Staff (concurrently Chief of the Defence Forces), the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff, and determine their salaries and allowances.
- (5) The office of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee stands abolished with effect from 27 November 2025.
- (6) The Prime Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff (concurrently CDF), appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command from the Army.
- (7)–(10) Five-star ranks (Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, Admiral of the Fleet) are held for life, with removal only under Article 47 and Article 248 protections applying.
This is a faithful summary of the constitutional text; for litigation or official citation, consult the authoritative English text (e.g. pakistani.org or the Senate’s official compilation).
Explained
Clause by clause: what it means
The balance of power between the elected government, the President and the military — in plain English.
| Clause | What it says (plain English) |
|---|---|
| (1) | The Federal Government has control and command of the Armed Forces. |
| (2) | The Supreme Command vests in the President (as head of state). |
| (3) | The President, subject to law, may raise and maintain the three forces and their reserves, and grant commissions. |
| (4) | The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoints the Chief of the Army Staff (concurrently Chief of the Defence Forces), the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff — and fixes their salaries. |
| (5) | The office of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee stands abolished from 27 November 2025. |
| (6) | The Prime Minister, on the COAS/CDF’s recommendation, appoints the Commander of the National Strategic Command (from the Army). |
| (7)–(10) | Officers promoted to Field Marshal / Marshal of the Air Force / Admiral of the Fleet keep rank and privileges for life, are removable only under Article 47, and enjoy Article 248 protections. |
The article’s central compromise: operational control sits with the elected Federal Government (clause 1), while the President holds the ceremonial Supreme Command (clause 2) — but every substantive appointment runs on the Prime Minister’s advice (clause 4), keeping the chain of command under civilian, elected authority. The 18th Amendment (2010) had already restored this civilian primacy after earlier eras concentrated power in the presidency.
2025
What the 27th Amendment changed
The most significant rewrite of Article 243 since the 18th Amendment.
The 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed in November 2025, rewrote Article 243 around a new command structure:
- Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF): the Chief of the Army Staff now serves concurrently as CDF — constitutionally recognised as the top of all three services.
- CJCSC abolished: the office of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee — held by General Shamshad Mirza until his retirement — stood abolished from 27 November 2025.
- National Strategic Command: a new Commander of the National Strategic Command (from the Army), appointed by the PM on the COAS/CDF’s recommendation — overseeing the strategic (nuclear) assets.
- Five-star protection: Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet now have lifetime rank and privileges, removable only through the Article 47 procedure, with Article 248 immunities applying to them.
The change was presented as drawing lessons from the May 2025 Pakistan–India conflict and the demands of integrated modern warfare — one unified command instead of a committee system.
Current
Who commands the Armed Forces today
The office-holders under the amended Article 243 (as of October 2026).
| Office | Holder |
|---|---|
| Supreme Commander (President) | Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan |
| Chief of the Army Staff & Chief of the Defence Forces | Field Marshal Asim Munir (promoted Field Marshal, May 2025) |
| Chief of the Naval Staff | Admiral Naveed Ashraf |
| Chief of the Air Staff | Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu |
| Commander, National Strategic Command | Appointed by the PM on the COAS/CDF’s recommendation (post-27th Amendment office) |
Service-chief tenures and holders change over time; the constitutional framework above is the durable part.
Connected
Related constitutional articles
Article 243 does not stand alone — four neighbouring articles complete the picture.
Armed Forces to act in aid of civil power
The forces defend against external aggression and, when called upon, act in aid of civil power — the basis for military assistance in disasters, censuses and elections. Read the Article 245 guide →
Protection to President, etc.
Immunity provisions for the President and others — no criminal proceedings or arrest during term; civil suits need 60 days’ notice. Now extended to five-star officers via Article 243. Read the Article 248 guide →
Provision relating to Jammu and Kashmir
When the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship shall be determined by their wishes — the constitutional basis of the plebiscite commitment. Read the Article 257 guide →
Definitions
The Constitution’s dictionary — what “Majlis-e-Shoora”, “Service of Pakistan”, “existing law” and dozens of other terms legally mean. Read the Article 260 guide →
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions readers ask most.
What is Article 243 of the Constitution of Pakistan?
“Command of Armed Forces” — the article vesting control and command of the Armed Forces in the Federal Government, the Supreme Command in the President, and the appointment of the three service chiefs in the President acting on the Prime Minister’s advice. Amended by the 27th Amendment (2025).
Who appoints the Chief of Army Staff under Article 243?
The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister — the COAS is appointed concurrently as Chief of the Defence Forces after the 27th Amendment.
What did the 27th Amendment change in Article 243?
It created the Chief of the Defence Forces (the COAS, concurrently), abolished the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (27 Nov 2025), established the Commander National Strategic Command, and gave five-star officers lifetime constitutional protection.
Who is the Supreme Commander of Pakistan’s Armed Forces?
The President of Pakistan — Article 243(2) vests the Supreme Command in the President, while actual control and command rests with the Federal Government.
What is Article 245 of the Pakistan Constitution?
“Armed Forces to act in aid of civil power” — the forces defend Pakistan against external aggression and, when called upon under law, assist the civil administration (disasters, census, elections).
What is Article 248 about?
Protection/immunity for the President, Governors and ministers: no criminal proceedings or arrest during term, and civil proceedings require 60 days’ written notice. Post-27th Amendment, these protections also apply to five-star officers.
More on the Constitution & government
Articles, institutions, symbols — the machinery of the Pakistani state, explained.
Constitutional summaries compiled from the official English text of the Constitution (post-27th Amendment) and parliamentary records. Verified October 2026; consult the authoritative text for legal citation.