President approves Nishan-e-Imtiaz for newly appointed CNSC Gen Syed Aamer Raza

Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC) General Syed Aamer Raza.

Sharing the announcement on X, the president wrote, “The president has approved conferring Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on Gen Syed Aamer Raza, the commander of the National Strategic Command.”

صدرِ مملکت نے جنرل سید عامر رضا، کمانڈر نیشنل اسٹریٹجک کمانڈ کو نشانِ امتیاز (ملٹری) عطا کرنے کی منظوری دے دی۔

— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 31, 2026

General Syed Aamer Raza became Pakistan's first Commander National Strategic Command after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promoted him from the rank of lieutenant general to a four-star general on July 24.

The Prime Minister's Office stated that before taking over the newly established National Strategic Command, General Raza had been serving as the Chief of the General Staff of the Pakistan Army.

Throughout his military career, he has also received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) and the Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Valour) for his distinguished service.

The office of Commander National Strategic Command was introduced through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which brought significant changes to Article 243 of the Constitution.

As part of the amendment, the long-serving post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) was abolished and replaced with the positions of Chief of Defence Forces and Commander National Strategic Command.

The constitutional changes also broadened the authority of Pakistan's senior military leadership and extended constitutional protection to officers holding the rank of five-star general.

According to the amended provisions, the prime minister appoints the Commander National Strategic Command on the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces.

The appointment is made for a three-year term, while the prime minister is also authorised to determine the office's terms of service, conditions and governing rules.

The revised law further allows the prime minister to appoint the Commander for one additional three-year term, provided the recommendation comes from the Chief of Defence Forces.

The amendment also makes it clear that any appointment, reappointment or extension of the Commander National Strategic Command cannot be questioned before any court, placing such decisions beyond judicial review.

It further states that the retirement age, length of service and removal provisions contained in the Pakistan Army Act will not apply to the Commander, who will continue serving as a General in the Pakistan Army while carrying out the responsibilities of the office.

Under the constitutional framework, the Commander National Strategic Command will serve with the rank of General in the Pakistan Army.

Earlier, on December 4, Field Marshal Asim Munir became Pakistan's first Chief of Defence Forces, another office established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

He continues to hold both the positions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces, creating a rare combination within the country's military command structure.