Baqir Sajjad Syed is the Foreign Affairs and National Security Correspondent for Dawn. His career of over 25 years spans print and broadcast journalism. He is a former UN Reham al-Farah Fellow and held a Pakistan Fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington, DC. He can be found on X at @baqirsajjad.
New role consolidates operational, administrative, strategic authority in single office; 'CDF-cum-COAS' five-year term to run until 2030, with possibility of extension.
Updated05 Dec, 202507:48am
Saudi authorities facilitate talks quietly; Pakistan rejects appeal for bilateral trade resumption; another round of negotiations likely.
Updated02 Dec, 202507:55am
Defence minister hints at issuance of notification after PM Shehbaz's return to the country; information minister says premier to arrive on Monday.
Updated30 Nov, 202507:47pm
Some legal experts argue tenure can be interpreted as having lapsed, others say no need for fresh notification after legal tweaks.
Updated30 Nov, 202510:33am
• FO terms Pakistan and Afghanistan armistice ‘not a typical ceasefire between two warring sides’ • Condemns attack on Chinese
Published29 Nov, 202504:43am
Gen Mirza has retired as the 18th and final occupant of the CJCSC office; COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir set to assume role of first chief of defence forces.
Updated28 Nov, 202507:19am
• Iranian official acknowledges Pakistan’s ‘vital role’ in regional security • Both countries to use each other’s currencies to
Published27 Nov, 202506:43am
Gaza peace on the table as top Iranian security official discusses regional, global issues with civilian leadership; will meet army, intel chiefs today.
Published26 Nov, 202507:32am
Chief of defence forces to undertake multi-domain integration, restructuring, and jointness creation; service strategic commands to be unified under National Strategic Command.
Updated15 Nov, 202511:54am
Changes proposed to Article 243 vest broader, constitutionally protected powers and privileges to the country's top military leadership.
Updated08 Nov, 202503:24pm
