President approves Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) for Gen Aamer Raza

WEBDESK: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the conferment of the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamer Raza. The approval comes a week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promoted then Lieutenant General Aamer Raza to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander National Strategic Command.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, General Aamer Raza, who previously served as Chief of General Staff, was elevated to the new rank in recognition of his service. Prime Minister Shehbaz also congratulated him on his promotion and appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to discharge his new responsibilities.

Commissioned into the Pakistan Army in 1988, General Aamer Raza is a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Quetta, and the National Defence University, Islamabad. He also holds a degree in International Relations from the University of Nottingham. During his military career, he has served as Commander IV Corps, Chairman Heavy Industries Taxila and, most recently, Chief of General Staff at General Headquarters, a position he assumed in January 2025.

The office of Commander National Strategic Command was created through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which introduced major changes to the military’s chain of command. Under the new framework, the post assumes the role of nuclear manager previously held by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, making it one of the country’s most significant strategic appointments.

Under the amendment, the appointment, reappointment and extension of the Commander National Strategic Command are made on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), a position also created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment to establish a unified military command structure. The Pakistan Army Act further states that decisions regarding the appointment, reappointment or extension of the office cannot be challenged before any court.