PM promotes Gen Aamer Raza to four-star rank, appoints him Commander National Strategic Command | The Express Tribune
Premier congratulates him on his promotion, appointment, wishes him success in his new role
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, the Pakistan Army’s Chief of General Staff, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander National Strategic Command (CNSC). PHOTO: PMO
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, chief of the general staff of the Pakistan Army, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander 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 undertaking this important responsibility.
Islamabad, 24 July 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced the promotion of Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, HI(M), SBt, Chief of the General Staff of Pakistan Army, to the rank of “Four-Star General” and his appointment as “Commander National Strategic… 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 longstanding office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and established the posts of Chief of Defence Forces and Commander National Strategic Command. It also expanded the constitutional powers of the country’s senior military leadership and introduced constitutional protections for five-star generals.
Read: Senate passes military reforms approved under 27th Constitutional Amendment
Under the amendment, 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 for a three-year term, while the prime minister is authorised to determine the terms, conditions and rules governing the office.
The amendment also allows the prime minister to reappoint the Commander for one additional three-year term on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces.
It further provides that the appointment, reappointment or extension of the Commander National Strategic Command cannot be challenged before any court, placing such decisions beyond judicial review. The bill also stipulates that the retirement age, service tenure, or removal clauses under the Army Act will not apply to the Commander National Strategic Command, who will continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army while performing his duties in the role.
Under the amendment, the Commander National Strategic Command serves with the rank of General in the Pakistan Army.
On December 4, Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces, a position also created by the 27th amendment. He would serve as both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF, a rare distinction in the country’s military hierarchy.
