Premier congratulates him on his promotion, appointment, wishes him success in his new role
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Lt. Gen. Aamer Raza, the Pakistan Army’s Chief of General Staff, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as the Commander-in-Chief of the National Strategic Command (CNSC). PHOTO: PMO
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has promoted Pakistan Army Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Aamer Raza 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 assuming this important responsibility.
Islamabad, 24 July 2026.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced the promotion of Lt Gen Aamer Raza, HI(M), SBt, Chief of the General Staff of the Pakistan Army, to the rank of “Four Star General” and his appointment as “Commander of 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 long-standing office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and established the posts of Chief of Defense 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-in-Chief of the National Strategic Command on the recommendation of the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of the Defense Forces. The appointment is for a three-year period, while the Prime Minister is empowered to set terms, conditions and regulations for the office.
The amendment also allows the Prime Minister to re-appoint the Commander-in-Chief for a further three-year term on the recommendation of the Chief of Defense Forces.
It further provides that the appointment, reappointment, or expansion of the Commander-in-Chief of the National Strategic Command cannot be challenged in any court, placing such decisions beyond judicial review. The bill also stipulates that the retirement age, length of service or removal clauses under the Army Act will not apply to the Commander-in-Chief National Strategic Command, who will continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army while performing his duties in the role.
As per the change, the Commander-in-Chief National Strategic Command serves with the rank of General in the Pakistan Army.
On 4 December, Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed as the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff, a position also created by the 27th Amendment. He would serve as both Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF, a rare distinction in the country’s military hierarchy.
