Farewell address: Gen Mirza urges cohesion amongst Armed Forces

WEB DESK: Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has urged Pakistan’s armed forces to remain united, adaptable and fully prepared for emerging security challenges, as he delivered his farewell address at a ceremony held in his honour at the Joint Staff Headquarters.

General Mirza is set to retire on November 27 (today) as the country’s 18th, and final CJCSC, with the position set to be abolished under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

In his speech, Gen Mirza said the world was transforming at an “unimaginable speed,” creating profound impacts on both Pakistan’s internal and external security environment. These shifts, he noted, range from hybrid warfare to the possibility of full‑scale conflict, requiring the armed forces to stay vigilant and strategically aligned.

He emphasised that the military must operate with harmony, joint cooperation and clarity of purpose, describing inter‑services coordination not as a desire but an “essential requirement” for meeting future challenges. Strengthening organisational structures and empowering the forces with the right capabilities, he added, were critical steps toward building a resilient defence system.

General Mirza stressed that Pakistan’s armed forces must adopt a cohesive strategic approach to remain prepared for the wars of the future. Concluding his address, he extended his best wishes to all three services, particularly the Joint Staff Headquarters, as he stepped down from his role.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met General Mirza and praised his service, professionalism and role in boosting inter-services coordination. Created in 1976, the post was historically dominated by army officers, with only three from the navy and air force ever serving. Gen Mirza, who previously cautioned about the risks of unresolved regional disputes, concludes nearly five decades of the role’s legacy.