Entertainment
Field Marshal Asim Munir appointed Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces
- President Zardari approves COAS Munir’s appointment as CDF.
- Air Chief Marshal Sidhu gets two-year extension in tenure.
- Pakistan will soar, Field Marshal Munir tells journalists.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday appointed Field Marshal Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
President Asif Ali Zardari approved Field Marshal Munir’s appointment as the Chief of Defence Forces following a summary sent earlier in the day by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The top army official — who was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal earlier this year — will concurrently serve as Chief of Army Staff for five years.
COAS Munir was elevated to the rank of field marshal — Pakistan’s second and the first in more than six decades — following the country’s resounding victory over India in the May war.
Moments before his appointment, COAS Munir said that, from here onwards, Pakistan would soar to greater heights.
“Everything is fine; it’s all in front of you. Things are moving towards improvement, and Pakistan will now soar to greater heights from here,” he told journalists during an informal conversation at the Awain-e-Sadar in Islamabad.
Separately, President Zardari also approved a two-year extension in the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu. The extension will come into effect once his ongoing five-year term concludes in March 2026.
The establishment of new military title follows President Zardari’s assent on November 15 to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy (Amendment) Bills 2025, after their approval by parliament.
Under the amended provisions, Article 243, which governs the powers and responsibilities of a Field Marshal, will also apply to any General promoted to the rank.
The federal government may authorise the Vice Chief of Army Staff or Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise the powers of the COAS under written orders issued on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
The legislation further stipulates that once the first notification for the dual office of COAS and CDF is issued, the incumbent COAS’ tenure will be considered to have recommenced from the date of that notification.
The federal government will determine the specific duties and responsibilities of the CDF, which will include multi-domain integration, restructuring, and ensuring jointness across the armed forces.
A significant structural change introduced under the amendment is the abolition of the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which will now be replaced by the Commander of the National Strategic Command.
The prime minister may appoint the Commander from among serving Pakistan Army generals for a three-year term, based on the recommendation of the COAS/CDF.
With the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the post of CJCSC had officially ceased to exist, and General (retd) Sahir Shamshad Mirza retired as the country’s last occupant of the position.
A brief look into Field Marshal Munir’s military career
Field Marshal Munir, Pakistan’s new CDF, was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officers Training Course at Mangla and was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour.
He has held several key military positions, including directing staff at Command and Staff College, Quetta; brigade major of a deployed infantry brigade in Kel; general staff officer, grade-2 at the CGS secretariat; and chief of staff of Mangla Corps. He also served as Quartermaster General at the General Headquarters.
Field Marshal Munir has commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment and an infantry brigade, and has served as force commander in the Northern Areas, Gilgit.
He has held top intelligence positions, including Director General of Military Intelligence (MI) and head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). After heading ISI, he was posted as Corps Commander Gujranwala and then as Quartermaster General — his last assignment before becoming army chief.
He graduated from Fuji School, Japan; Command and Staff College, Quetta; Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur; and National Defence University, Islamabad. He also holds an MPhil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from the National Defence University.
Field Marshal Munir is the first army chief to be awarded the Sword of Honour. He is a keen sportsman, avid reader, traveller, and a Hafiz-e-Quran.
Entertainment
Channing Tatum prepares to undergo surgery after severe injury
Channing Tatum offered his health update after severely injuring his shoulder.
Before going under the knife, the Magic Mike star took to his Instagram on Tuesday night, February 3.
He shared a black-and-white snapshot of himself wearing a hospital gown while laying on a bed in a medical office as he prepares to undergo surgery.
“Just another day. Another challenge,” the 45-year-old American actor and film producer captioned the single image.
“This one is gonna be hard,” he added before concluding, “But whatever. Let’s get it in.”
Moreover, giving more insights about his condition, the Blink Twice actor posted two images of his X-rays on his Instagram Stories.
“Separated shoulder,” he captioned one report, showing broken bones.
The Step Up actor wrote “Screwed shoulder. Yay,” on the following update, featuring a screw in his shoulder.
It is pertinent to note that back in September, Tatum revealed that he got injured while filming the new Avengers: Doomsday movie.
Given his history, it’s unclear if the new medical procedure has anything to do with his previous injury.
On the work front Tatum’s latest movies as of early 2026 include the critically acclaimed dark thriller Josephine, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, and the 2025 crime drama Roofman, where he stars as Jeffrey Manchester.
Entertainment
Who was Elyse Donalson? A look into her life and career
Elyse Donalson, best known for her role in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers and her appearances on acclaimed television dramas, built a career that spanned more than two decades in Hollywood.
She passed away unexpectedly at her Studio City home at the age of 78 leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a life rooted in both Texas and Los Angeles.
Born Mary Elise Donalson on October 5, 1947, in Victoria, Texas, she grew up in a family where her father managed the family lumberyard and her mother worked as a church secretary and bookkeeper.
After graduating from Victoria High School in 1965, she attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), where she acted in plays and met her future husband, Joe Houde.
The couple eventually moved to Los Angeles, where Donalson pursued her passion for acting.
Her Hollywood journey began in the early 1980s, when she took acting classes and landed her first role in 1983 on CBS’s fantasy series Wizards and Warriors.
From there, she appeared in more than two dozen television series including Doogie Howser, M.D., Anything But Love, Chicago Hope, The Practice, and Beverly Hills, 90210.
She became a familiar face in guest roles across popular shows of the era.
Donalson’s film work included her memorable appearance in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), where she played a sanitarium patient in a chilling scene opposite Paul Rudd’s Tommy Doyle.
On television, she portrayed a nun in St. Elsewhere (1986), a judge in Matlock (1988), a nurse in Quantum Leap (1989), and an elderly woman in The X-Files (2000).
Fans of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman may remember her as Mrs. Marley in the 1993 Christmas episode Mike’s Dream: A Christmas Tale.
Beyond acting, Donalson was a longtime member of SAG-AFTRA and balanced her career by working at law firms in Los Angeles.
She was known for her love of animals and movies.
She is survived by her sister Harriette Meyer (who shared news of her sister’s death to The Hollywood Reporter), nieces Kellie and Kate, her brother-in-law Jimmie, great-nieces Madison, Macy, and Piper and her great-nephew Clay.
Donalson’s journey from Texas to Hollywood reflects the determination of an actress who carved out her place in the industry while remaining deeply connected to her family and personal passions.
Entertainment
Over Rs540m worth of kites sold ahead of Basant in Lahore
- 500,000 kites sold in Lahore markets on Tuesday alone: officials.
- Two-day public holiday announced in Punjab on Feb 6-7.
- Met Office says weather to remain suitable for kite-flying.
More than Rs540 million worth of kite string and kites were sold in Lahore over three days ahead of Basant, reflecting strong public enthusiasm as the historic festival returns to the city after 25 years.
According to the Kite Association, over 500,000 kites were sold in city markets on Tuesday alone, as buying activity for Basant continued for the third consecutive day.
The festival is set to be celebrated in Lahore from February 6 to 8, following the lifting of a long-standing ban under strict conditions.
Markets designated for kite-flying material remained crowded as enthusiasts prepared for the festival’s return after more than two decades.
A large number of buyers thronged the Mochi Gate market to purchase kite strings and kites of their choice. The festive mood was heightened by the district administration’s Basant float, where the beats of dhol added to the excitement of shoppers.
Some citizens, however, complained that the prices of kites and string were too high, calling on the government to take steps to bring prices down.
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb also visited Mochi Gate to review Basant shopping arrangements. Speaking to the media, she said that preparations for a safe Basant had been completed and urged citizens to strictly follow SOPs while celebrating the festival.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a Basant celebration at Liberty Chowk on February 7.
Moreover, public holiday has been announced across the province on February 6 and 7, according to an official notification issued by the Punjab administration.

Lahore has been swept in colours as the Basant preparations peaked, with a giant kite installed at Liberty Chowk as part of the celebrations.
It may be noted that the Punjab cabinet allowed the manufacturing of kite-flying material not only in Lahore but also in four other districts. The provincial government has said foolproof security arrangements are being put in place to ensure safety during the event.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Lahore’s weather during Basant will remain cold and dry on February 6 and 7, while partly cloudy conditions are expected on February 8. The department said the weather conditions from
February 6 to 8 will be suitable for kite flying, with winds blowing at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour.
The Met Office has advised kite flyers to avoid electricity wires.
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