Premier congratulates him on his promotion, appointment and wishes him success in his new position
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC). PHOTO: PMO
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him Commander of the National Strategic Command, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Friday.
According to the PMO, the Prime Minister congratulated General Aamer Raza on his promotion and appointment and wished him the best in discharging this important responsibility.
Islamabad, July 24, 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced the promotion of Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, HI(M), SBt, Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, to the rank of “Four Star General” and his appointment as “National Strategic Commander… pic.twitter.com/U1Qk2K5nsl
– Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) July 24, 2026
The position was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which rewrote Article 243. The amendment abolished the former position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and established the positions of Chief of the Defense Forces and Commander of the National Strategic Command. He also expanded the constitutional powers of the country’s top military commanders and introduced constitutional protections for five-star generals.
Read: Senate approves military reforms approved under the 27th Constitutional Amendment
According to the amendment, the Prime Minister appoints the Commander of the National Strategic Command on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff and the Chief of the Defense Forces. The appointment is for a period of three years, while the prime minister is authorized to determine the terms, conditions and rules that will govern the position.
The amendment also allows the Prime Minister to reappoint the Commander for an additional three-year term on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defense Forces.
Furthermore, it establishes that the appointment, re-election or extension of the Commander of the National Strategic Command cannot be challenged before any court, which leaves such decisions outside of judicial control. The bill also stipulates that the retirement age, tenure of service or dismissal clauses under the Army Act will not apply to the Commander of the National Strategic Command, who will continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army while performing his duties in office.
According to the amendment, the Commander of the National Strategic Command serves with the rank of General in the Pakistan Army.
On December 4, Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed as the country’s first Chief of Defense Forces, a position also created by the 27th amendment. He would serve as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and as CDF, a rare distinction in the country’s military hierarchy.
