Lt Gen Aamer Raza promoted to four-star general, appointed first National Strategic Command chief

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

The PMO said the premier congratulated General Raza on his promotion and wished him success in undertaking his new responsibilities.

General Raza, who previously served as the Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army, has been awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Sitara-i-Basalat (Star of Valour) during his military career.

The appointment marks the first to the newly created CNSC post, established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment passed last year. The amendment transferred responsibility for overseeing the country's strategic nuclear command from the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), a position abolished under the constitutional changes.

The amendment also created the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) to establish a unified military command structure. Under the revised framework, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the CNSC is made solely on the recommendation of the CDF, while such decisions are protected from judicial review