ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, has elevated Lt. Gen. Aamer Raza, chief of the general staff of Pakistan Army, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him Commander National Strategic Command. According to an announcement by Prime Minister made on Friday, Lt. Gen. Aamer Raza is among the most powerful figures appointed since Pakistan undertook its latest constitutional reforms; his post is currently one of the safest posts in the country.

PM Congratulates the New Commander National Strategic Command

As per PMO, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Gen Aamer Raza both for being promoted and for his assignment as the Commander of National Strategic Command. He congratulated him for taking up what he is calling an important responsibility for Pakistan.

As per the amendment, the Prime Minister will appoint the Commander National Strategic Command through recommendations made by the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces. The appointment is for a period of three years and the Prime Minister shall have the power to determine the terms and conditions of service as well as guidelines for the post. The amendment further enables the Prime Minister to appoint the Commander for an extra three year term through recommendation made by the Chief of Defence Forces.

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One of the most remarkable aspects of the recent legislation pertains to accountability. The amended provision says that any appointment, reappointment, or extension related to the Commander National Strategic Command is immune from challenge in any court. The amendment also provides that provisions relating to the age of retirement, length of service, and dismissal as provided for in the Army Act shall not apply to the Commander National Strategic Command. Gen. Aamer Raza will keep his status of a general in the Pakistan Army during his tenure in this new post.

This is in direct connection with yet another significant change in the ranking system of the Pakistani military. On December 4, Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed as the first-ever Chief of Defence Forces, a post created through the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. Field Marshal Asim Munir currently occupies the positions of COAS as well as that of the Chief of Defence Forces simultaneously, which is rather an unusual phenomenon in the history of the Pakistani military. The appointment of General Aamer Raza as the Commander of National Strategic Command further adds to the novelty in the Pakistani military top ranking system.