Lt Gen Aamer Raza promoted to general, appointed as commander of National Strategic Command

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday promoted Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Aamer Raza to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander of the National Strategic Command.

The prime minister congratulated General Aamer on his promotion and new assignment, expressing confidence in his ability to discharge the responsibilities of the key strategic post.

PM Shehbaz also extended his best wishes to General Aamer for the successful discharge of his duties in the national interest.

The development has come more than six months after Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir was appointed as the first chief of defence forces (CDF) for a period of five years.

The CDF position was created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, replacing the abolished office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) chairman, which formally ended on November 27, 2025.

Under the revised structure, the CDF role is dual-hatted, combining responsibilities of the former CJCSC with the office of the Chief of Army Staff.

Appointment of the Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC) was another key development that had since then been under consideration. This is a newly created four-star role tasked with overseeing Pakistan’s nuclear command and strategic forces—previously handled by the CJCSC.

As per the amended Article 243 of the Constitution, the NSC Commander is appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the chief of army staff.

What’s Article 243

Article 243 of the Constitution, which pertains to the command of the armed forces, has been amended under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which became law after President Asif Ali Zardari signed it on November 13, 2025.

The amendments to Article 243 include:

• The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, shall appoint the Chief of the Army Staff (who will concurrently hold the new position of Chief of the Defence Forces), the Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Chief of the Air Staff.
• The position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee has been abolished.
• A new position of Chief of Defence Forces has been created, to be held by the Chief of Army Staff.
• The Prime Minister, on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces, will appoint a Commander of the National Strategic Command from within the Pakistan Army.
• Officers conferred with the ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet will retain their rank, privileges, and remain in uniform for life.
• These high-ranking officers cannot be removed from their positions by the government, but only through parliamentary impeachment in accordance with Article 47 of the Constitution.
• Holders of these ranks will enjoy judicial immunity for life, similar to that of the President.
• Upon completing their command tenure, the federal government may assign them any role or responsibility in the national interest