Lt Gen Aamer Raza promoted to four-star general, appointed National Strategic Commander

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC), according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The prime minister congratulated General Raza on his promotion and wished him success in discharging his new responsibilities.

General Raza, who had been serving as the Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, is a recipient of the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat in recognition of his distinguished service.

The post of Commander National Strategic Command was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment last year, replacing the role of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) as the authority responsible for overseeing the country's strategic nuclear command.

Under the constitutional changes, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the CNSC is made solely on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a position also established under the amendment to provide a unified command structure for Pakistan's armed forces.

The amendment further stipulates that the appointment, reappointment or extension of the CNSC cannot be challenged before any court.

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who also serves as Chief of Army Staff, became Pakistan's first Chief of Defence Forces following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment last year.