Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has elevated Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, HI(M), SBt, from his position as Chief of the General Staff of the Pakistan Army to the rank of four-star general. Concurrently, he has been appointed as the Commander of the National Strategic Command, a crucial post overseeing the country’s strategic military assets.
The announcement of General Raza’s promotion and new assignment was made on Friday. The Prime Minister extended his congratulations and wished him success in fulfilling the responsibilities associated with his elevated rank and command.
Prior to this elevation, General Raza served as the Chief of the General Staff at the General Headquarters (GHQ). His new role as Commander National Strategic Command entrusts him with one of Pakistan’s most vital strategic defense functions.
General Aamer Raza’s military career began with his commission in 1988. He is an alumnus of the Command and Staff College in Quetta and the National Defence University in Islamabad. Additionally, he holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
His previous key appointments include serving as Commander of IV Corps and Chairman of Heavy Industries Taxila. He assumed the position of Chief of General Staff at GHQ in January 2025.
In a significant development last year, the 27th Constitutional Amendment restructured the military’s command hierarchy. This legislation created the post of Commander National Strategic Command, transferring the nuclear management responsibilities that were formerly held by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The CJCSC post was abolished on November 27, 2025.
This newly established position is critical for Pakistan’s strategic capabilities and national defense policy. the amendment, the appointment, reappointment, and extension of the Commander National Strategic Command are made based on the Chief of Defence Forces’ (CDF) recommendation.
The CDF role itself was introduced through the 27th Amendment to unify the armed forces’ command structure. Following this change, Field Marshal Asim Munir, then Chief of Army Staff, was appointed as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Army Act stipulates that decisions regarding the appointment or extension of the Commander National Strategic Command are at the sole discretion of the appointing authority and cannot be challenged in any court on any grounds.
