<h1>Pakistan's Article 243 defence command restructuring-new Chief of Defence Forces role; India extends theatre commands deadline to May 2026</h1> Pakistan's constitutional amendment to Article 243 restructures higher defence organisation by abolishing the office of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and creating a Chief of Defence Forces post that, as stated, may be constituted only by the Chief of Army Staff, thereby centralising authority and limiting inter-service joint command. The amendment also establishes a National Strategy Command and reinforces rocket/strategic command structures, concentrating responsibility for land operations, joint operations, and strategic (including nuclear) matters within a consolidated hierarchy. Separately, the Union government has extended the deadline for completing India's proposed joint theatre commands to 30 May 2026, allowing implementation to proceed within a revised timeframe.